A Disguised Scene from The Tale of Genji (Fūryū Yatsushi Genji), Chapter 33, “Wisteria Leaves (Fuji no uraba)” 1784 - 1804

Curator: This striking print, held here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is titled "A Disguised Scene from The Tale of Genji, Chapter 33, 'Wisteria Leaves'," made between 1784 and 1804 by Chōbunsai Eishi. It's a woodblock print, placing it firmly in the Ukiyo-e tradition. Editor: Ah, Ukiyo-e! It sings to me, that period. Look at this... It feels like eavesdropping on a very stylish secret. All those beautiful women, poised between a leaving carriage and a grand entrance... is there trouble brewing? Curator: The charm of these 'disguised scenes' is precisely that—it evokes the familiar while reimagining it within contemporary settings and fashions. Eishi excelled at depicting courtesans and upper-class women, showcasing the evolving styles and social rituals of the late 18th century. Editor: Right, the costumes! Every single one is a unique character. I love the parasol lady. Is that shade, literally and figuratively, being cast on the departing group? And the details, too: The hint of landscape behind it all, I swear I can almost hear their whispers in that courtyard! Curator: It speaks volumes about the status and representation of women at the time, doesn't it? Woodblock prints like this circulated widely, shaping and reflecting ideals of beauty, elegance, and cultural refinement. We, the contemporary public, get a glimpse of art reflecting life reflecting art... Editor: Like holding a gossip magazine from 250 years ago! But it also hits on universal things: anticipation, leaving, wondering if you dressed the right way to the right party... And then, of course, the almost eerie silence that is characteristic to prints of that time makes me hear the sound of silk in every motion. Curator: Precisely. The layers of cultural context enriches it for today's public, yet, simultaneously, art-making of the past and present find some intersection to speak from, together... That feels somehow poignant. Editor: Agreed. It's like finding a hidden doorway into another world... through a piece of paper and some perfectly placed ink. That's kind of magic, right?