Murasaki Shikibu, from the series Ukiyo-e Genji

Edo period (1615–1868), about 1710

Okumura Masanobu
Japanese, 1686-1764

Murasaki Shikibu authored the most revered novel in Japanese history, The Tale of Genji, which explores courtly romance. She is said to have written it after she retired from court and secluded herself at the peaceful Ishiyama Temple in central Japan. In prints she is often shown seated at her desk in a moment of contemplation. Here she looks out over the waters of Lake Biwa while pausing from her work. On the low table before her are blank sheets of paper, brushes, and ink.

Status: On View, Gallery 107
Department: Arts of Asia

Artist: Okumura Masanobu
Title: Murasaki Shikibu, from the series Ukiyo-e Genji
Place: Japan (Artist's nationality:)
Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.: 1705–1715
Medium: Woodblock print; oban
Dimensions: 27.2 × 36.6 cm (10 3/4 × 14 7/16 in.)
Credit Line: Clarence Buckingham Collection
Reference Number: 1925.1868
IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.: https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/19584/manifest.json

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Murasaki Shikibu, from the series Ukiyo-e Genji

On View

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Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

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IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.

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IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.