Fragment of the Yujo monogatari (Tales of pleasure women)

Object Details

• Label

  This fragment is from a longer illustrated narrative scroll describing the customs of romance in Heian (794-1185) times. This illustration from Tales of pleasure women is rendered in the hakubyoga style. The tale may be based on Yujoki (Record of pleasure women), a series of observations on women of carnal commerce written by author and statesman Oe no Masafusa (1041-1111). In addition to the specialized use of ink monochrome, the artist used the visual convention of "blown roof" (fukinuki yatai), allowing the viewer to peer into action normally obscured by architecture, and suggesting the narrator's omniscient point of view. Sequential numbering of text units alerts the viewer to the proper sequence for reading.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Tales and Legends in Japanese Art (June 21, 2003 to January 4, 2004)

  Telling Tales in Japanese Art (November 23, 1996 to August 14, 1997)

  Literary Themes in Japanese Art (February 13, 1986 to March 9, 1987)

  Japanese and Chinese Lacquer (September 22, 1982 to June 30, 1983)

  Japanese Art (July 1, 1974 to April 10, 1978)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• 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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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1400s, 1300s

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Art, Japanese Art, Tales of Pleasure Women, Nanbokucho period (1333 - 1392), Kakemono, Court

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Paintings