Kemari Scene from chapter 34 of The Tale of Genji
Terms of Use
Usage Conditions ApplyAt A Glance
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Period
1850-1855 -
Geography
Japan -
Material
Ink and color on silk -
Dimension
H x W (image): 102.8 × 50.5 cm (40 1/2 × 19 7/8 in) -
Accession Number
F2002.2a-h -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_F2002.2a-h
Object Details
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Artist
Reizei Tamechika (1823-1864) -
Description
This depiction of one the most famous scenes from the Tale of Genji (Chapter 34). As a group of young courtiers engages in a game of kick ball (kemari), Nyosan, concubine to Prince Genji spies on the players from inside her screened room. Her escaping cat bursts through the hanging drapery, offering courtier Kashiwagi a forbidden glimpse of Nyosan. The moment leads to a sad affair between Kashiwagi and Nyosan in which Genji is the cuckold and leads to the birth of Kaoru, a son whom Genji must accept even though he knows the truth of the liaison. -
Signatures
Signed by Tamechika with his court title corresponding to a period between 1850 and 1855. -
Label
This hanging scroll illustrates one of the most famous scenes from The Tale of Genji. Concealed behind a bamboo screen, Prince Genji's new wife, known as the Third Princess, watches a game of kemari (kickball). Suddenly, her cat rushes out, offering a brief glimpse of the princess to Genji's rival at court, Kashiwagi. They begin an affair that leads to the birth of a son, Kaoru, whom Genji must accept even though he is aware of the illicit liaison.Reizei Tamechika, who worked as an official court painter in the nineteenth century, created this elegant rendition of the famous scene. His work reflects the refined style and technical perfection that characterized court painting from the Heian period (794-1185)--when The Tale of Genji was written--to Tamechika's era at the end of the Edo period (1615-1868). The artist imbued this frequently rendered scene with lively expression in the movements of the courtiers and a sensitive evocation of the moment within a serene spring setting. -
Provenance
To 2002Klaus Naumann, Tokyo, to 2002From 2002Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Klaus Naumann in 2002 -
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection -
Exhibition History
Painting the Classics: Presence and Absence (November 3, 2018 to October 14, 2019)Arts of Japan: Edo Aviary and Poetic License (February 2 to August 4, 2013)Poetic License: Making Old Worlds New (February 2 to August 4, 2013)Asian Games: The Art of Contest (February 26 to 15 May 2005)Tales and Legends in Japanese Art (June 21, 2003 to January 4, 2004) -
Previous custodian or owner
Klaus Naumann -
Origin
Japan -
Credit Line
Purchase — funds provided by the Friends of the National Museum of Asian Art -
Type
Painting -
Restrictions and Rights
Usage Conditions Apply
There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
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