The Origins of Genji Monogatari and Genji Monogatari Emaki (Genji-e Database Research Group Symposium)

Pictorial representations of Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji), known as Genji-e, have been created in great numbers from the Heian period to the present day. This research group seeks to provide a comprehensive view of the tradition of Genji-e as a whole and deepen our understanding of Genji-e and Genji culture through a sustained study of both the artworks and broader cultural practices that draw inspiration from and reinterpret Genji Monogatari. This symposium brought together scholars with a wide range of specializations in Japanese and Chinese literary history and art history (Central Asia, China, and Japan) for presentations and discussions that explored the origins of Genji Monogatari and its pictorial representations.

The first part of the symposium focused on the origins of Genji Monogatari. Presentations by SASŌ Mikiko (“Reception of Chōgonka in Genji Monogatari”), NI Jindan (“Reception of Taketori Monogatari in Genji Monogatari”), and KONDŌ Sayaka (“Reception of Ise Monogatari in Genji Monogatari”) shed light on how Genji Monogatari engages with earlier literary texts. The second part shifted to the origins of Genji Monogatari emaki, with presentations by MASUYA Tomoko (“Monogatari-e [pictorial representations of stories] in Western Asia”), YAMAMOTO Satomi (“East Asian Monogatari-e and Genji Monogatari Emaki”), and MASUKI Ryūsuke (“East Asian Sansui-ga [landscape painting] and Sansui Expressions in Genji Monogatari Emaki”) that explored the tradition of Genji-e since the Heian period from the broader perspective of East Asian art history. Through a cross-cultural comparative approach, these presentations also sought to situate these traditions in relation to one another.

The symposium was moderated by INAMOTO Mariko and AOKI Shinichi, with KATSUMATA Shiori and TAKAGISHI Akira serving as commentators. The event was attended by 33 participants in person and 44 participants online. During the closing session of open discussion, attendees further explored the crossover between the textual analysis from the first half of the event and the visual analysis of the second half, deepening their understanding of and appreciation for the rich, multilayered world of Genji Monogatari culture.

Event Overview

• Date and time： July, 13 14:00〜17:00
• Venue： Rm. AV, Bldg. 38, Toyama Campus
• Format： Face to face/ Online streaming
• Organized by：Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)（Principal Investigator・Inamoto Mariko）「Comprehensive and emergentive Genji paintings research by sharing and utilizing the Genji Culture Portal」
• Co-Organized by： Ryusaku Tsunoda Center of Japanese Culture, Waseda University／Global Japanese Studies Model Unit, Waseda University Top Global University Project, Waseda University Research Institute for Letters, Arts and Sciences／早稲田大学美術史学会