Genjimonogatari (series)

Illustration series inspired by Tale of Genji, exploring characters, relationships and symbols/themes. Fude de mannen, ink and watercolour. Started March 2018 and completed May 2022. You can read my thoughts on the various characters here, and see how these illustrations can be grouped in various combinations.

Card deck now available

Characters depicted to date

The following list is in order of illustration completion.

  1. Falling Flowers 花散里 Hanachirusato/Lady of the Village of Falling Flowers
  2. His Highness of War 兵部卿宮 Hyobukyo no Miya/Prince Hyobu; 蛍兵部卿宮 Hotaru Hyobukyo no Miya/Prince Hotaru/His Firefly Highness of War; 匂宮 Niou no Miya/Prince Niou/the Third Prince/His Perfumed Highness of War
  3. Fragrance 薫中将 Kaoru Chujo/The Fragrant Captain
  4. Safflower 末摘花 Suetsumuhana
  5. Reflecting on Light 藤原惟光 Fujiwara no Koremitsu
  6. Bright Stone 明石君 Akashi no Kimi/Akashi lady
  7. Grass Beneath the Trees 源典侍 Gen no Naishinosuke
  8. Evening Mist 夕霧 Yugiri
  9. Paulownia Court 桐壺帝 Kiritsubo no Mikado and 桐壺更衣 Kiritsubo no Koi/Lady Kiritsubo
  10. Vermilion Bird 朱雀帝 Suzaku no Mikado
  11. One Who Loves Autumn 秋好 Akikonomu
  12. Cold Spring 冷泉帝 Reizei no Mikado
  13. Misty Moon Night 朧月夜 Oborozukiyo
  14. Drifting Boat 浮舟 Ukifune
  15. Oak Tree 柏木 Kashiwagi
  16. Wisteria Court 藤壷の宮 Fujitsubo no Miya
  17. Wild Geese in the Heavens 雲居の雁 Kumoi no Kari
  18. Tendril Wreath 玉鬘 Tamakazura
  19. Eightfold Clouds 八宮 Hachi no Miya/Eighth Prince
  20. Trefoil Knots 大君 Oigimi and 中君 Nakanokimi
  21. Lucky Dice 近江の君 Omi no Kimi
  22. Red Plum Blossoms 紅梅 Kobai
  23. Message Bearer 小君 Kogimi I; 右衛門佐 Uemonnosuke; 小君 Kogimi II; Kobai’s son
  24. Black Beard 髭黒 Higekuro
  25. Deity of the Sea 明石入道 Akashi no Nyudo/Akashi Novice
  26. Doll Without Emotion 女三宮 Onna San no Miya/Third Princess
  27. Fallen Leaf 落葉宮 Ochiba no Miya
  28. Secretary Captain 頭中将 To no Chujo
  29. Vanished into the Clouds 光源氏 Hikaru Genji
  30. Wanderer in the Dark Night of Spring 蔵人少将 Kurodo no Shosho
  31. Morning Glory 朝顔 Asagao (bellflower during the Heian period)
  32. Cicada Shell 空蝉 Utsusemi
  33. The Passed 前坊 Zembo (former/late Crown Prince)
  34. Present Day 今上帝 Kinjo no Mikado and 明石中宮 Akashi no Chugu/Akashi Empress
  35. Sixth Street 六条御息所 Rokujo no Miyasudokoro
  36. Evening Faces 夕顔 Yugao (moonflowers)
  37. Flower of Purple 紫上 Murasaki no Ue (Murasaki – plant with roots used to make a purple dye)
  38. The Things of Long Ago 源氏良清 Minamoto no Yoshikiyo
  39. Heartvine 葵上 Aoi no Ue (Aoi – heartvine, hollyhock, wild ginger)
  40. Hall of Beauty 弘徽殿 Kokiden I – Genji’s nemesis; Kokiden II – To no Chujo’s daughter
  41. Beloved Cypress Pillar 真木柱 Makibashira
  42. Dancer of Five Stanzas 五節舞姫 Gosechi no Maihime/Gosechi Dancer
  43. The Left and the Right 左大臣 Sadaijin/Minister of the Left and
    右大臣 Udaijin/Minister of the Right
  44. Reeds Beneath the Eaves 軒端荻 Nokiba no Ogi
  45. Chrysanthemum in Bloom 女二宮 Onna Ni no Miya/Second Princess – second daughter of the Kinjo Emperor
  46. A Heart That Knows Sadness 小宰相 Kosaisho/Kozaisho
  47. Moon Above the Gate 横川僧都 Yokawa no Souzu/Monk, Priest or Bishop of Yokawa
  48. Blessed Fortune 明石尼君 Akashi no Amagimi/Akashi Nun
  49. Mirror God Oath 大夫の監 Taifu no Gen/Audit Commissioner
  50. To See You in Full Bloom 中将の君 Chujo no Kimi
  51. Her Grand Highness 大宮 Omiya
  52. River of Tears 弁の君/弁の尼 Ben no Kimi/Ben no Ama
  53. Watchfulness – representing male cast of the Tale of Genji
  54. Resourcefulness – representing female cast of the Tale of Genji
  55. Nest of Protection 巣守 Sumori