Bracken Shoots (Sawarabi), Illustration to Chapter 48 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) c. 1509 - 1510

Curator: What strikes me immediately about this illustration is the pervasive use of gold. It's everywhere—the clouds, the ground, even subtly within the architecture. It gives the scene an ethereal, almost dreamlike quality. Editor: This is an illustration titled "Bracken Shoots (Sawarabi)," by Tosa Mitsunobu, accompanying Chapter 48 of "The Tale of Genji," and presently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. I think the abundance of gold leaf points to the wealth and status inherent in the narrative. It reinforces the social stratification depicted within the Tale. Curator: That's an interesting reading. Thinking about the materials themselves, the delicate paper, the layering of pigments... it speaks to the meticulous process of creating such an artwork. Editor: Absolutely, and it’s also worth considering the female figures who would have interacted with this artwork. It's a window into the lives of aristocratic women within a rigid social structure. Curator: I agree; it adds layers of meaning to what might otherwise be seen as just a pretty picture. Editor: Precisely, examining it through a social lens gives it so much more depth. Curator: It's amazing how an artwork from so long ago can still spark such rich dialogue. Editor: Indeed, art continues to inspire, revealing the intersection of materials, society, and historical context.