#236 The Gift Poem of Genji and the Nun
| Size： | about 60×180 cm |
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| Dressing： | framed |
What kind of verse?
| verse: | [Genji] Yufu magure, honoka ni hana no, iro wo mi te, kesa ha kasumi no, tachi zo wadurafu [Nun] Makoto niya, hana no atari ha, tachi uki to, kasumu ru sora no, kesiki wo mo mimu |
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| (imho): | [Genji] “Since I caught a fleeting glimpse of the flower’s beauty at yesterday’s dusk, I find it hard to tear myself away this morning.” [Nun] “Is that truly so? That you find it hard to part from the flower’s side? I should like to see whether such feelings are genuine, or merely as insubstantial as the hazy spring sky.” |
| poet: | Murasaki Shikibu |
| in: | about 1008 |
Genji, while visiting a temple in the northern hills, happens upon a young girl being raised by her grandmother, the nun. Struck by the girl’s beauty—so reminiscent of his beloved stepmother, Lady Fujitsubo—Genji is captivated. It is in this moment that he exchanges poems with the nun.
Echoes of Genji
Behold this elegant calligraphic rendition of “The Gift Poem of Genji and the Nun” from The Tale of Genji, meticulously created around the year 1008. Rendered in the refined kana calligraphy style, this piece exquisitely captures the emotional language of Heian-era poetry.
This rare and emotionally resonant creation brings together centuries of Japanese aesthetic and literary heritage. It stands as a silent witness to unspoken longing, rendered through sweeping strokes that embody both restraint and yearning.
Now, this masterpiece seeks a worthy home—someone with the vision and space to appreciate its scale, nuance, and poetic depth.
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