日本のよいものを世界へ

Approaching the splendid and humorous world of Yamato-e

Tales such as “Ise Monogatari” and “Tale of Genji,” which have been handed down from generation to generation, had a deep relationship with paintings such as picture scrolls. Similarly, waka poems have also been connected to paintings and have enhanced their expression, as the world described in waka poems has been painted, or poems have been composed based on paintings.

This exhibition features a selection of narrative paintings and song paintings from the museum’s Sumitomo Collection that reflect the moods of people in the early modern period. The exhibition features valuable works such as “Genji Monogatari Zu Byobu” (The Tale of Genji) by a member of the Iwasa Matabee school of painters and “Taketori Monogatari Emaki” (The Tale of Taketori), a colorful picture scroll.

From the Middle Ages onward, Yamato-e paintings became richer in expression and more vivid in their depiction of people. The paintings tell the elegant, gorgeous, and sometimes humorous world of tragic and joyous anecdotes, love stories, splendid dynastic events, and strange tales such as mysterious birdmen.

The curator in charge of the exhibition will also hold a slide talk on the exhibition, “Pictures of Songs and Stories,” in the form of a slide show (reservations required in advance; June 17 (Sat) and July 1 (Sat), 14:00-15:00). Immerse yourself in the elegant world of the time through the works.

Event Summary