Byobu, Folding screen - Lacquer, Paper, Wood, Gold leaf - High quality large 6-panel room divider depicting different scenes from the Tale of Genji. - Japan - Meiji period (1868-1912) - 19th century

Stunning large six-panel byôbu 屏風 (room divider) with a multi-coloured continuous painting on gold leaf depicting different scenes from ‘The Tale of Genji’ 源氏物語 (Genji Monogatari) . A lot of various scenes from the story are shown; On the left, some courtiers are admiring cherry blossom trees which are full in bloom. Hanami 花見 (flower viewing) is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers. From the end of March to early May, cherry trees bloom all over Japan. In the middle it shows prince Genji and Tô no Chûjô who dance “Waves of the Blue Sea” for the Retired Emperor, the Kiritsubo Emperor, and the Crown Prince (future Emperor Suzaku. Genji’s beauty and talent are said to outshine those of his friend and rival. All the scenes are gracefully separated by shiny golden clouds of which the edges are detailed with lines of circles in relief. This multi-coloured painting is set on a gold-leaf background. The panels are surrounded by two silk borders, a thin brown one with a vine motive, and a wide moss green one with a handscroll motive. The screen is protected by a black lacquer wooden frame with its original gold coloured hardware. Considering the age, which is approximately 120-150 years old, in very good condition. There are only some signs of age and wear. Please see the photos for a condition reference. These kind of room dividers are light in weight and can also be easily mounted flat on a wall and presented as one piece of art. Total width: 366. 2 cm (2 x 62. 5 cm, 4 x 60. 3 cm) ; Height: 176. 3 cm. The Tale of Genji is a classic work of Japanese literature written in the early 11th century by the noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. The original manuscript, created around the peak of the Heian period, no longer exists. The work is a unique depiction of the lifestyles of high courtiers during the Heian period. The work recounts the life of Hikaru Genji, or "Shining Genji", who is the son of an ancient Japanese emperor (known to readers as Emperor Kiritsubo) and a low-ranking concubine called Kiritsubo Consort. For political reasons, the emperor removes Genji from the line of succession, demoting him to a commoner by giving him the surname Minamoto, and he pursues a career as an imperial officer. The tale concentrates on Genji's romantic life and describes the customs of the aristocratic society of the time. It may be the world's first novel, the first psychological novel, and the first novel still to be considered a classic. (From Wikipedia) When shipped we will add a certificate of authenticity.