Wakana jo 若菜上

This piece titled “Wakana Jo” is one of the three chapters of “The Tale of Genji” during the early 17th century.  Although the original artist of all three chapters is unknown, the paintings were attributed to the Muromachi-period artist Tosa Mitsuyoshi. The painting depicts Kashiwagi and courtiers playing kemari (kickball) and is mounted as a panel, made of ink, colors, and gold leaf on paper. The brushwork on the faces and overlapping trees suggests that the artist was taught the Tosa style. The artist paid close attention to detail in certain spots while simultaneously making it appear incredibly simple.