The Cressets (Kagaribi), Calligraphic Excerpt from Chapter 27 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) c. 1509 - 1510

Curator: The Cressets, or Kagaribi, is a calligraphic excerpt from Chapter 27 of the Tale of Genji, rendered by Sanjōnishi Sanetaka. It's just over 9 inches tall and sits on a pale blue ground. Editor: The script has a wonderful gestural quality, and the color seems to evoke a kind of quiet melancholy. Curator: Indeed. The Tale of Genji is central to Japanese literary and cultural identity, exploring themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of beauty, deeply influencing Japanese aesthetics. Editor: Notice how the composition balances the dense calligraphic forms with the negative space, creating visual rhythm. Also, the borders seem to be almost like a cloud motif, framing the words. Curator: The cloud motif is very interesting, particularly when considering the content of the Tale itself and the symbol of illumination that Cressets offer, guiding through the darkness. Editor: The overall effect is remarkably intimate, bridging centuries with a few brushstrokes. Curator: It’s a potent reminder of art’s capacity to convey complex narratives and resonate across time.