Genji Viewing Snow From a Balcony

This woodblock print depicts Prince Genji dining while viewing falling snow from a riverside balcony. It is possibly the central panel of an original triptych; a work of art comprised of three distinct panels. The scene is a Genji-e or Mitate-e; a parody illustration of the original Genji story. A popular subject for many Japanese print artists in the 19th century, The Tale of Genji is a classical Japanese novel by Lady Murasaki Shikibu of the late Heian period (794 to 1185 AD).  It detailed the lengthy and often complex love adventures of the novel's central character, Prince Genji. The story spawned many parodies, illustrations of which were also prevalent and often termed mitate-e. Here we see how Genji sits centrally in the image with plates of food and tea around him while looking out from an elevated balcony through falling snow to a small village by the edge of a river or lake. Although no other figures are present in this panel, it is possible that, if the work is the central panel of an original triptych, Genji's attendants would have featured in the side panels. 

P.S. Have you been to Japan in winter? If not, see the most beautiful winter views of Japan in woodblock prints.  <3

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