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“Mistflowers”

late 16th–early 17th century
Not on view
In Chapter 30, “Mistflowers,” Yūgiri visits Tamakazura after the death of their grand-mother. Yūgiri has learned that Tamakazura is not his sister but his cousin, thus opening up the possibility of courtship. He brings a message of condolence and a love poem, along with a bouquet of mistflowers. As Tamakazura has honed her skills in fending off Genji’s advances, she artfully sidesteps Yūgiri’s as well. This moment is portrayed with Mitsuyoshi’s typical refined delicacy.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 土佐光吉筆　源氏物語図色紙　「藤袴」
  • Title: “Mistflowers”
  • Artist: Tosa Mitsuyoshi (Japanese, 1539–1613)
  • Period: Momoyama period (1573–1615)
  • Date: late 16th–early 17th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium:

    Album leaf mounted as a hanging scroll; ink, color and gold on paper

  • Dimensions: Image: 10 1/8 × 8 3/8 in. (25.7 × 21.2 cm)
    Overall with mounting: 54 5/8 × 15 1/4 in. (138.7 × 38.7 cm)
    Overall with knobs: 54 5/8 × 17 3/16 in. (138.7 × 43.6 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.300.30
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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“The Oak Tree”, Tosa Mitsuyoshi Japanese, Album leaf mounted as a hanging scroll; ink, color and gold on paper, Japan
“The Oak Tree”
Tosa Mitsuyoshi
late 16th–early 17th century
“Butterflies”, Tosa Mitsuyoshi Japanese, Six-panel folding screen; ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper, Japan
“Butterflies”
Tosa Mitsuyoshi
late 16th–early 17th century
“Little Purple Gromwell” (Wakamurasaki), Tosa Mitsuyoshi Japanese, Two-panel folding screen; ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper, Japan
Returned to lender
“Little Purple Gromwell” (Wakamurasaki)
Tosa Mitsuyoshi
early 17th century
Tale of Genji Chapter Books: Chapter 10, “A Branch of Sacred Evergreen” (Sakaki), Tosa Mitsuyoshi Japanese, Thread-bound manuscript book with painted covers; ink, color, and gold on paper, Japan
Returned to lender
Tale of Genji Chapter Books: Chapter 10, “A Branch of Sacred Evergreen” (Sakaki)
Tosa Mitsuyoshi
Saionji Shōkō
early 17th century
“Butterflies” (Kōchō), Tosa Mitsuyoshi Japanese, From an album of eighty paired paintings and calligraphic texts; ink, color, and gold on paper, Japan
Returned to lender
“Butterflies” (Kōchō)
Tosa Mitsuyoshi
Reizei Tameyori
1612

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