The "Tale of Genji" (Genji monogatari) in Ten Volumes (JÅ«jo Genji), vol. 9 Possibly 1661

Editor: This is volume 9 of "The Tale of Genji" in Ten Volumes by Nonoguchi Ryuho, currently at the Harvard Art Museums. The colors feel quite muted, and there's a real sense of intimacy with the figure in the pavilion. What strikes you most about this work? Curator: I am immediately drawn to the delicate dance between text and image. The scene whispers of longing, doesn't it? The soft hues, like faded memories, hint at the ephemeral nature of beauty and the passage of time. Look at how the lines guide your eye, from the figure's contemplation to the flowing water, creating a sense of melancholic harmony. What do you feel as you look at the calligraphy? Editor: It feels like a story unfolding, even though I can’t read it! I get a sense of depth in the image because of the overlapping layers. I never would have seen it this way. Curator: Exactly! It's a journey, both visual and literary.