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Parody of Murasaki Shikibu at Her Desk

ca. 1710
Not on view
What looks like a depiction of an Edo-period courtesan at a writing table is actually a parodic image of The Tale of Genji’s author, Murasaki Shikibu. According to legend, Murasaki secluded herself at Ishiyamadera Temple, where her contemplation of the moon’s reflection on Lake Biwa, as well as divine intervention, inspired her to begin writing the romantic narrative of courtly life. While most imaginary portraits show her in eleventh-century dress, here she appears clad in the fashion of the artist’s own day. The printmaker, painter, and poet Okumura Masanobu was among the early ukiyo-e artists who depicted famous female writers and their characters in the guise of commoners.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 奥村政信画　見立紫式部図
  • Title: Parody of Murasaki Shikibu at Her Desk
  • Artist: Okumura Masanobu (Japanese, 1686–1764)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: ca. 1710
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Monochrome woodblock print (sumizuri-e); ink on paper
  • Dimensions: 10 3/8 x 14 1/8 in. (26.4 x 35.9 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Francis Lathrop Collection, Purchase, Frederick C. Hewitt Fund, 1911
  • Object Number: JP682
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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Kabuki Play Kusazuribiki from the Tales of Soga (Soga monogatari), Okumura Masanobu Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan

Kabuki Play Kusazuribiki from the Tales of Soga (Soga monogatari)

Okumura Masanobu
18th century
Fagot–gatherer Finds Boy with Sparrow, Okumura Masanobu Japanese, Monochrome woodblock print; ink on paper, Japan
Fagot–gatherer Finds Boy with Sparrow
Okumura Masanobu
Woman Pursuing Sparrow, Okumura Masanobu Japanese, Monochrome woodblock print; ink on paper, Japan
Woman Pursuing Sparrow
Okumura Masanobu
Two Figures, Okumura Masanobu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan
Two Figures
Okumura Masanobu
Triptych of Umbrellas, Okumura Masanobu Japanese, Undivided triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan
Triptych of Umbrellas
Okumura Masanobu

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