Episode 9

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  Episode 4

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  Episode 9: calligraphy

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  Episode 4: calligraphy

 

Length: 196.000 mm (each)
Width: 173.000 mm (each)

Asia JA JP 187-195 (1881.12-10.0326-34)

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Views of Mount Fuji

Sumiyoshi Jokei and unknown calligrapher, 'Journey to the East: Mt Fuji' (Azuma-kudari: Fujinoyama), two

Scene from Ise monogatari (Tales of Ise)

Ise monogatari (Tales of Ise) is a collection of over one hundred brief narrative episodes, each containing one or more classical poems. It is believed to have been composed in the tenth century, with the main protagonist modelled after the courtier-poet Ariwara no Narihira (AD 825-80). Scenes from Ise monogatari became a common subject for later painters. Episode no. 9, 'Journey to the East' (Azuma-kudari), traditionally interpreted as Narihira's 'exile' from Kyoto, includes a brief scene where the party pass Mt Fuji and pause to admire an un-seasonal coating of snow.

Jokei's depiction of the scene is sparse and informal. The softly rounded, brilliant green foothills of Fuji recall the ancient roots of Yamato-e painting. The stylized triple peak of the moutain is also an archaic style found on Buddhist 'Mt Fuji mandalas'.