Beneath the Autumn Leaves (Momiji no Ga), Illustration to Chapter 7 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) c. 1509 - 1510

Editor: This is "Beneath the Autumn Leaves," an illustration from the Tale of Genji by Tosa Mitsunobu. It's so elegant and stylized, but I wonder what's going on in the scene? What's your read on this work? Curator: This image speaks volumes about Heian period courtly life, doesn't it? The careful depiction of social hierarchy, the placement of figures, even the stylized rendering of nature – all contribute to a narrative deeply embedded in the political and social landscape of the time. Look at who is seated, and who is on the ground. What power dynamics do you think are in play here? Editor: It's interesting to think about the painting as a reflection of those power dynamics. I hadn't considered that. Curator: Exactly. The art isn't just pretty, it's saying something about who holds power and how it’s maintained within that society. I never thought about it that way before. Editor: It really makes me see the image in a new light.