Red and White Tale of Genji 1709
okumuramasanobu
minneapolisinstituteofart
ink-on-paper
aged paper
toned paper
book
sketch book
japan
ink-on-paper
personal sketchbook
coloured pencil
sketchbook drawing
watercolour illustration
storyboard and sketchbook work
sketchbook art
watercolor
"Red and White Tale of Genji" is a woodblock printed book created by Okumura Masanobu in 1709. The book depicts scenes from the famous Japanese novel "The Tale of Genji", a classic of Japanese literature. The image depicts scenes of a man and a woman in a traditionally designed Japanese home. The artwork uses simple line work and black ink on a light background. Masanobu was known for his illustrative art and contributed significantly to the popularity of woodblock printing in the Edo period.
Comments
Murasaki Shikibu, a court lady, wrote The Tale of Genji—posited to be the world’s fi rst novel—in the early 11th century. Following courtier Hikaru Genji and his many trysts, the story offers insight into aristocratic society and life at the time. By the Edo period, when printed versions of Genji became available, few could understand the classical Japanese language used in the original written version. In this book, writer Suigetsudō Baiō translated the original text into the vernacular, while illustrations were added to appeal to a broader readership.
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