12017-05-31T16:38:56+00:00Nathanael Roesche2b52a0fe25f47457902361b2112b14c75ecc6aa22structured_gallery2017-05-31T17:32:58+00:00Nathanael Roesche2b52a0fe25f47457902361b2112b14c75ecc6aaIn The Tale of Genji references to the four seasons, like color and flowers, are not only deployed for their poetic allusions but to symbolize key characters. At the height of his court career Genji builds himself a beautiful home, the four-season Rokujō-in, that reflects his refined taste and sensitivity to the natural world. In this mansion, Genji designs a seasonal garden for the pavilion to represent each of the women he loves. Empress Akikonomu has an autumn garden with optimal views of the fall moon. Lady Akashi has a winter garden filled with evergreen pines, chrysanthemums, and frost-hued oaks. Lady Murasaki has a garden filled with plum trees and spring blooms, and the Lady of the Orange Blossoms has a garden filled with lush greens such as bamboo that provide shade in the heat of summer. Each of these gardens reflects aspects of the Lady’s character. Additionally, the various plants in these gardens are deployed as symbols for the Lady herself and as metaphors for the nature of their relationships to Genji.
The dominant seasons of the Tale are spring and autumn, seasons known for their intense and fleeting beauty.
12017-05-31T15:25:20+00:00Nathanael Roesche2b52a0fe25f47457902361b2112b14c75ecc6aaCleaning After the Storm2media/S.84.FA_BMC_f_2.jpgplain2017-05-31T15:26:34+00:00Utagawa Kunisada II (1823–1880)Mid–19th centuryS.84.a-c.FAGift of Margery Hoffman Smith (Class of 1911)Color woodblock printNathanael Roesche2b52a0fe25f47457902361b2112b14c75ecc6aa
12017-05-31T15:28:19+00:00Nathanael Roesche2b52a0fe25f47457902361b2112b14c75ecc6aaAkasaka Park Autumnal Scene2media/2005.6.56.a_BMC_d_5.jpgplain2017-05-31T15:35:02+00:00Kawai Gyokudo (1873–1957)2005.6.56.a-dGift of Elizabeth Gray Vining (Class of 1923)Hanging scroll, facsimile of painting20111014085105Nathanael Roesche2b52a0fe25f47457902361b2112b14c75ecc6aa
12017-05-31T15:36:03+00:00Nathanael Roesche2b52a0fe25f47457902361b2112b14c75ecc6aaJapanese fan2media/HPH.1972.532_BMC_f_c_2.jpgplain2017-05-31T15:36:40+00:00HPH.1972.532Bequest of Hobson PittmanNathanael Roesche2b52a0fe25f47457902361b2112b14c75ecc6aa
12017-05-31T15:38:00+00:00Nathanael Roesche2b52a0fe25f47457902361b2112b14c75ecc6aaPrince Genji Listening to Insects2media/S.69.a_BMC_f_2.jpgplain2017-05-31T15:39:07+00:00Utagawa Kunisada (aka Toyokuni III) (1786–1864)1864S.69.aGift of Margery Hoffman Smith (Class of 1911)Color woodblock printNathanael Roesche2b52a0fe25f47457902361b2112b14c75ecc6aa
