Japanese six-panel Byobu screen on paper, Edo period, 19th century

A very fine Japanese six-panel Byobu screen from the Edo period, dating from the early 19th century, depicting scenes from The Tale of Genji, with pavilions, gardens, and court women in kimono. Hand-painted with mineral pigments, inks, and gold on paper, it is edged with red silk, mounted on a wooden trellis, and framed in black lacquer. Each panel has been thoroughly cleaned by a specialist, gently dusting, thus restoring the original colors. A soft, stretchy black cotton fabric has been applied to the back, and Z-hooks attached to the frame allow for wall mounting. The screen is in very good condition. The Tale of Genji, or Genji Monogatari, was written by a courtesan, Murasaki Shikibu, around the 10th-11th centuries. This romantic novel relates the relationships of the legendary Prince Genji and the generation that succeeded him. Divided into 54 chapters, the English translation by Edward Seidensticker runs to 1, 090 pages. The Tale of Genji is now required reading in Japanese schools.