Iwasa Matabei's Colorful World: Important Cultural Property "Joruri Monogatari Emaki"

Iwasa Matabei Katsuyori (1578-1650) dominated the world with his distinctive style, combining Yamato-e and Chinese painting with the depiction of characters with full cheeks and long chins. His unique style had a profound influence on subsequent paintings. His lavish picture scrolls, featuring ancient Joruri texts as their narrative text, are particularly significant in Matabei's artistic career. The "Joruri Monogatari Emaki" (Illustrated Scroll of Joruri) tells the love story of Ushiwaka, who travels to Oshu, and the Joruri puppet daughter of a wealthy man from Yahagi, Mikawa. Extensive use of precious pigments, including gold leaf, gold and silver paint, verdigris, and ultramarine, highlights the characters' costumes and furnishings in exquisite detail and dazzling colors. This exhibition will showcase all 12 volumes of the "Joruri Monogatari Emaki" (Illustrated Scroll of Joruri), the most colorful of Matabei's scrolls. Enjoy the vibrantly colored world unfolding in every detail.

Joruri Monogatari Illustrated Scroll Volume 1 (part)

Highlights of the Exhibition

 

All Joruri Tales Picture Scrolls on Display

The Important Cultural Property "Joruri Monogatari Emaki" is known as a representative work of Matabei's picture scrolls. The total length of the exhibition will exceed 60 meters, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the charm of this picture scroll.

Picture scroll experience booth "Digital Picture Scroll"

The image depicted in the picture scroll unfolds into the next legend and painting through the repeated action of "unfolding and rolling up." This exhibition features a "Digital Picture Scroll" experience booth where you can view the "Joruri Monogatari Picture Scroll" as if you were moving a scroll. The picture scroll is projected onto a large screen measuring approximately 7 meters wide on the wall of the exhibition room, allowing you to enjoy the charm of the Matabei Picture Scroll, which is depicted in every detail. (Limited to the exhibition period)

Picture scroll experience booth "Digital Picture Scroll"

Joruri Monogatari Illustrated Scroll Volume 3 (detail)

Joruri Monogatari Illustrated Scroll Volume 1 (part)

Holding information

Exhibition name	Iwasa Matabei's Colorful World: Important Cultural Property "Joruri Monogatari Emaki"
Session	March 17, 2023 | Friday | – May 23, 2023 | Tuesday |
Museum Holidays	Thursdays (open on June 4th)
Venue	MOA Museum of Art Exhibition Room 1-6