Golden Fantasies: Japanese Screens from New York Collections
Asia Society home
Battle of the Carriages
Edo period (1615–1868), mid-17th century
Single six-panel screen; ink, color, and gold on paper
John C. Weber Collection
Cat. no. 3

This dramatic and violent scene is taken from Chapter 9, “Heart-to-Heart” (Aoi), of the Tale of Genji. Feeling neglected by her lover Genji, Lady Rokujô goes to watch him participate in the procession for the Kamo Festival. However, the grooms of his wife Aoi (fourth and fifth panels from right) try to force Lady Rokujô’s carriage (at bottom left) aside in order to gain a better viewing position for their mistress, which leads to much pushing and shoving. The expressive faces and dynamic movements of the figures are in the style of Iwasa Matabei (1578-1650). The same scene can be seen in the right screen of Scenes from the Tale of Genji, displayed opposite at the bottom of the second panel from the right.

The screens will be rotated on April 6, 2004 First rotation Second rotation