The Twilight Beauty (YÅ«gao), Calligraphic Excerpt from Chapter 4 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) c. 1509 - 1510

Curator: This piece, known as "The Twilight Beauty," features a calligraphic excerpt from Chapter 4 of The Tale of Genji. The artist is Jōhōji Kōjo. Editor: It feels so intimate—like stumbling upon a secret message. The salmon-colored paper gives a warmth that contrasts with the precise, dark calligraphy. Curator: Yes, and the dragons decorating the paper hint at the imperial court. Genji is, after all, a story of courtly love and political intrigue. Editor: Thinking about the Heian period, when women's voices were often mediated, makes me wonder what stories lie between these elegant lines. Curator: Precisely! This fragment gives us a small window into the complex world of Japanese court culture and the enduring power of literature. Editor: It's a reminder that even in fragments, great beauty and profound stories persist.