Special Unveiling of All Fifteen Newly Restored Volumes National Treasure, The Tale of Genji Illustrated Handscrolls

The National Treasure "The Tale of Genji Illustrated Handscrolls" in the Tokugawa Art Museum collection is the oldest surviving illustrated version of the early eleventh-century narrative The Tale of Genji and is famous worldwide as one of the great masterpieces embodying the classical culture of the Heian period.
The work was originally created in handscroll format but was separated and mounted in frames in 1932 in the interest of preserving the work and allowing for easier viewing by the public. Although this was the best decision for the work at the time, the framed format resulted in some adverse effects on the work. A recent conservation project spanning five years has now restored the work to its original handscroll format, which allows the text and images to respond directly to each other as first intended.
In commemoration of the completion of the restoration of all fifteen scrolls in 2020, the entire set will be unveiled in a special two-part rotating exhibit.