Aoi　葵

KEY WORD :　art history / paintings

Pictorial subject matter based on "Heartvine" Aoi, Chapter 9 of GENJI MONOGATARI 源氏物語 (The Tale of Genji). Aoi is the name of Genji's first wife, who in this chapter gives birth to his only son, is *Yuugiri 夕霧. The child dies suddenly when possessed by the jealous spirit of Lady Rokujou, Rokujou no Miyasudokoro 六条御息所. The most famous scene illustrated is the "Carriage Competition" Kuruma-arasoi 車争 during the Kamo 賀茂 festival, when the carriages of Aoi and Lady Rokujou compete for viewing space. Lady Rokujou is humiliated by Aoi's footmen, which exacerbates her jealousy. The screen by Kanou Sanraku 狩野山楽 (1559-1635) in the Tokyo National Museum is the most well-known example. Another illustrated scene from this chapter shows Genji trimming the hair of Murasaki (see *Wakamurasaki 若紫) before leaving for the Kamo festival.

REFERENCES:

*genji-e 源氏絵

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NOTES:

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