Page 469 - Edo: Art in Japan, 1615–1868

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274 • The popular shell-matching game cleverly plays on the viewer's expec-
Shimokóbe Gyokugen became the theme for paintings on tations by boldly exaggerating the
(active early nineteenth century) sliding screens showing oversize shells miniaturist form of shell painting.
Genji Shell Game Screen randomly arranged against a lush gold The scenes derive from the Tale of
Early nineteenth century background. The insides of the shells Genji, a novel in fifty-four chapters
Four sliding-screen panels; ink, are painted in bright colors in the that relates the life and loves of
color, and gold on paper Yamatoe style of painting that was "Shining Prince" Genji. The second
7
Each 165 x 114 (65 x 44 /s) traditionally associated with the court, screen from the right, for example,
Private Collection, Kyoto but which enjoyed a revival during includes images based on traditional
the nineteenth century through the iconography related to the Barrier
patronage of wealthy merchant and
samurai officials. This screen painting