Formal Analysis

Our original piece is executed in the "women's hand" style, characterized by fine lines, bright, vivid colors and an asymmetrical composition. Here, the diagonal thrust of the tree branch leads the eye into the concentric ripples of the pond, which in turn frame Prince Genji's face. Although artists in the Heian period did not have markers to work with, they did use colored inks and paint on their scrolls. This work mimics the expressive appearance such mediums can take on. It could serve as an illustration for the world's first novel, The Tale of Genji, which was written by Lady Murasaki during the Heian period (Stokstad 386). The book has endured countless generations, much like cherry blossoms, which always bloom with the coming of spring.