Noblemen Viewing the Nunobiki Waterfall, Episode 87 of the Tales of Ise

Tawaraya Sōtatsu

first half 17th century

Album leaf, mounted as hanging scroll, ink and color on paper

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Four men in traditional Japanese attire stand before a waterfall and a body of water. Calligraphy is present in the upper portion of the image. Tawaraya Sōtatsu, one of the founders of the Rinpa School during the early 17th century, was inspired by literary themes and painting styles from Japan's classical past. This album leaf illustrates a scene from the Tales of Ise (Ise monogatari) written around 950 recounting the life and loves of an unidentified gentleman, but probably loosely based on the courtier Ariwara Narihira (825-880). Thirty-seven leaves of this particular album by Sōtatsu and his studio are known. This leaf is the first of two that illustrate episode 87 in which a group of noblemen visit Nunobiki Waterfall, near present-day Kobe. One of the gentlemen, lament