Heian Beauty & Sakura Cherry Blossoms

" Heian Beauty & Sakura Cherry Blossoms "

We estimate this scroll was drawn in the Edo period (1603-1868).
It may have been re-mounted.
The drawing part is a little foxed overall as it was painted years ago.
There are some spots and faint folds on the drawing part.
There are several small spots and some faint folds on the mounting.
As a whole, the condition of this scroll is not so bad.
Murasaki-Shikibu, woman novelist & Waka poet in the Heian period (794-1192), author of the Genji-Monogatari, with Sakura cherry blossoms at night is painted artistically with vivid colors.
She is wearing a Juni-hitoe 12-layered ceremonial Kimono.
A Waka poem is also written at the top.
Murasaki-Shikibu conceived the plot of the Genji-Monogatari (=Tale of Genji) at the Ishiyama-Dera Temple where is well-known as a beauty spot of Sakura cherry blossoms.
The drawer (Kakei) seems to have been ranked as Hokkyo.
Hokkyo was the highest rank of which painters could be ordained in the Edo period.
However, we have no information about Kakei.