In Nezame Monogatari Emaki, how is the Description discussed?
The emakimono illustrates the Yoru no Nezame, a prose novel recounting the vicissitudes of life at the court of a young courtesan named Nakanokimi or Nezame, and constantly immersing the reader in Nezame's thoughts and feelings. The story centers on the romance between Nezame and a court counsellor (a Chūnagon), by whom she becomes pregnant, but there are many obstacles that make this love impossible, including the fact that the counsellor is promised to Nezame's older sister, Ōigimi. Nezame is therefore forced to marry another man older than herself, for whom she develops a certain affection in the absence of love.Only one fairly damaged scroll remains of the emakimono. It includes five sections of prose text and four illustrations, for a total length of 528 cm (208 in) and a height of 25.8 cm (10.2 in). The scroll probably covers the last part of the novel. The author and the sponsor are unknown.
The first scene is dominated by Japanese cherry trees against a rich background sprinkled with dust of gold, silver and mica. Three young girls, one playing the flute and two holding a fan, sit under the trees. The lower left part reveals the interior of a rich house. The significance of the scene is uncertain, but it may be Nezame's visit to his beautiful daughter. The second scene shows a courtesan resting on a veranda under a Wisteria plant. Two people are playing music at the top of the stage, while Masako, Nezame's son, appears in the lower right corner. This is undoubtedly the visit of Masako to Sadaijin-no-nyōgo, wife of the Emperor. The third scene is that of Masako's visit to a courtesan to whom he wishes to declare his love. A reflection of the moon appears fleetingly in the garden stream, while the figures are visible through the openings of the veranda on the left. The fourth scene shows the emperor speaking with a priest about Nezame's letter; unlike the other scenes, the atmosphere here is religious and solemn.
mica emakimono Wisteria Chūnagon ink Yoru no Nezame Japanese cherry trees gold silver