Scene from the Tale of the Wisteria Robe

藤の衣物語絵巻断簡

1400s

Japan, Muromachi period

(1392–1573)

Medium

section of a handscroll mounted as a hanging scroll; ink on paper

Measurements

Image: 16.2 x 33 cm (6 3/8 x 13 in.); Overall: 105.4 x 57.2 cm (41 1/2 x 22 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

John L. Severance Fund 1985.132

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

Members of the court, both male and female, are depicted in dress and hairstyles from the earlier Heian period (794–1185).

Description

The Tale of the Wisteria Robe chronicles the family saga and spiritual wanderings of a noble whose garment has a signature scent. In the complete set of two scrolls, the paintings were preceded by textual passages and included dialogue floating over the characters depicted. This fragment of the story shows several figures engaged in private conversations held in chambers divided by sliding doors. Numerical notations in the text indicate the order in which things are being said.