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2 Original Japanese Woodblock Prints of “The Tale of Genji” Scenes by - $350 (Newton/Wellesley/Needham)
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Elegantly matted and framed, under glass.
Measurements: 25” x 22” (frame), 12” x 8.5” (art)
Ebina Masao was a renowned Japanese woodblock artist best known for his extensive series of woodblock prints illustrating the 54 chapters of "Genji Monogatari" (The Tale of Genji), a classic work of Japanese literature by Murasaki Shikibu. Ebina is especially remembered for his humanistic portrayal of women, depicting figures ranging from rural farmers to Kyoto maiko (apprentice geisha). His woodblock print portfolio, created primarily in the 1950s, has been praised for its elegance and gracefulness in capturing Heian period aesthetics. The production of these prints was a major artistic and technical achievement, with the publisher Yonekichi Yamada investing heavily and dedicating personal interest to realize the highest standard of woodblock art with these prints.
Considered by some as the first novel ever written on earth, "The Tale of Genji" is one of the greatest works of Japanese literature. Written by the noblewoman Lady Murasaki Shikubu in the early 11th century during the Heian era, "The Tale of Genji" tells the story of Prince Genji, recounting his life, loves, and the aristocratic world around him in fifty-four chapters. Lady Murasaki's tale of courtly life remains a classic of literature today.