Pair of Japanese Six-Panel Folding Screens (Byōbu), Scenes from The Tale of Genji, Tosa/Yamato-e School, Edo Period

Story

Centuries ago, Japanese masters removed aristocratic roofs using paint, inventing the 'fukinuki yatai' aerial view to capture forbidden romance and court intrigue behind shimmering gold leaf.

Maker / Origin

While unsigned—typical for elite commission works of this era—this pair belongs squarely to the classical Yamato-e revival led by ateliers associated with the Tosa or Sumiyoshi schools. These hereditary court painters held monopolies on classical literary illustration, dedicating generations to formalizing the iconic imagery of Heian literature for daimyo lords and wealthy merchant houses.

Condition & Value

Displays age-appropriate surface wear, scattered pigment flaking, faint creasing along fold joints, and historical oxidation to paper and gold ground. Overall, the narrative pigments remain vibrant and the structural integrity appears stable, which preserves strong market desirability.