Narihira Viewing Nunobiki Falls (Episode 87) from the "Tales of Ise" (Ise monogatari) Late 16th to early 17th century

Editor: This panel, "Narihira Viewing Nunobiki Falls," from the "Tales of Ise" by the Tosa School, feels strangely serene despite being in black and white. What do you make of its composition? Curator: Ah, yes, serene is a good word. It’s the swirling clouds, isn’t it? They create this dreamlike space around Narihira and his companions. I see a yearning for beauty, a kind of melancholic appreciation for nature’s fleeting moments. Do you sense that too, or am I just projecting? Editor: I think I see it too. The figures seem so small against the landscape. What strikes me is that, even without color, I can still sense the importance of nature. Curator: Precisely! And think about the "Tales of Ise" itself—a collection of poems and anecdotes, fragmented and evocative. This panel captures that essence, doesn’t it? A glimpse into a world of refined emotions and the power of observation. Editor: It does. I hadn’t thought about it that way before. Thanks!