Collections: Asian Art: Tale of the Wisteria Robe

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Tale of the Wisteria Robe

• Medium: Ink on mica-flecked paper
• Place Made: Japan
• Dates: 15th century
• Period: Kamakura Period
• Dimensions: 6 5/8 x 405 1/4 in. (16.8 x 1029.3 cm)
• Collections: Asian Art
• Museum Location: This item is not on view
• Accession Number: 81.198
• Credit Line: Anonymous gift
• Image: Overall, 81.198_IMLS_SL2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Tale of the Wisteria Robe, 15th century. Ink on mica-flecked paper, 6 5/8 x 405 1/4 in. (16.8 x 1029.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 81.198 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 81.198_IMLS_SL2.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: The second half of a long, illustrated scroll narrating the Tale of the Wisteria Robe. The Tale of the Wisteria Robe (Fuji no koromo monogatari) is by an unknown author. It traces the trials and tribulations of its protagonist, Yamabushi, from the internecine rivalry with his siblings over his father's succession, to his life as a peripatetic mountain ascetic (the literal meaning of Yamabushi), to his reunion with his three children after a lengthy separation. The wisteria robe of the title refers to a fragrant garment associated with Yamabushi that signals his presence in key episodes throughout the narrative and symbolically invokes his true identity as a nobleman despite humble appearance as a wanderer. In this penultimate scene in the scroll, Yamabushi's children mourn upon receiving the news of his death. (Information provided by Melissa McCormick).