The Perfumed Prince (Niou Miya), Illustration to Chapter 42 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) c. 1509 - 1510

Editor: This illustration, "The Perfumed Prince," by Tosa Mitsunobu, depicts a scene from the Tale of Genji. The procession has such a serene, almost dreamlike quality. What strikes you about it? Curator: It whispers tales of Heian court life, doesn't it? The gold leaf ground, the delicate figures… It evokes a world of refined aesthetics and hidden passions. Have you noticed how the artist uses empty space to suggest depth and distance? Editor: I see it now! So, the minimalism enhances the overall feeling. Curator: Precisely! The "mono no aware," that poignant awareness of impermanence, seeps through the image. It makes you wonder, what secrets do those carriages hold? Editor: True. This makes me appreciate the illustration and the Tale of Genji itself even more. Thanks for sharing your insights!