The Tale of Genji is a tale composed by a Japanese court lady during the fabulous Heian period.
No other work of literature pre and post it approach it in its complexity.
There is a rich tradition of Genji illustrations.
The oldest extant album is the 1510 Genji Album in the Harvard Art Museums.
Melissa McCormick’s book The Tale of Genji A Visual Companion 2018ed gives a wonderful discussion of each of the 54 chapters of The Tale of Genji with paintings and calligraphy from the Genji Album (1510).
Her introduction is excellent and a minefield of golden nuggets.
The calligraphy chosen to express the essence of each chapter has English translations to guide the reader.
A gem.
Lwh @ Kyoto
15 Nov 2023