Tale of Genji

A particular gem is the adorned manuscript of the Genji monogatari (Cod.jap. 18), crafted around 1615 as a wedding present for a member of the Tokugawa family. The dark blue covers show scenes from this famous novel in gold and silver, the text is executed in elegant calligraphy. This famous Japanese novel tells the story of Hikaru Genji, the son of the Japanese emperor, who is relegated to the status of a commoner for political reasons and has to start a career as an imperial civil servant.