Murasaki Shikibu at Ishiyamadera Temple, based on the print “The Moon at Ishiyama,” from the series One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (Tsuki hyakushi: Ishiyama no tsuki) 1891 - 1892

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi created this hanging scroll, "Murasaki Shikibu at Ishiyamadera Temple," as part of his "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon" series. Its vertical composition draws the eye upwards, from the temple scene to the moonlit sky. Yoshitoshi masterfully plays with light and shadow. Notice how the lantern’s glow contrasts with the soft moonlight, creating depth and atmosphere. The artist divides the pictorial space into distinct, geometric sections through the architectural structure of the temple. This division creates a tension between the intimate space of Murasaki Shikibu and the vastness of the landscape, hinting at a dialogue between inner reflection and outer observation. The textures vary from the smooth, ethereal sky to the detailed patterns on Murasaki's robes, emphasizing the interplay between the real and the imagined. Ultimately, the structured composition and contrasting textures serve to explore themes of perception and reality. Yoshitoshi challenges us to consider the nature of artistic representation.