Exploring illustrations in Japanese books

In this activity, we’ll explore illustrations and colours in Japanese and European books, looking at examples from both traditions.

Takahiro Sasaki

Mayumi Ikeda

Let’s begin with illustrations in Japanese books.

Using examples from Keio University Library and the Dunhuang manuscripts at the British Library, I’ll show you some of the different ways illustrations and text were brought together.

Books featured in the video

An image for Or.8210/S.3961 is reproduced by permission of the British Library

• Bunshō zōshi 文正草子. 17th century, Nara-emaki, private collection
• Kumiko emaki 組香絵巻. Early 17th century, private collection
• Pusa pumen pin and Foshuo fumu enzhong jing 菩薩普門品・仏説父母恩重經. 10th century, British Library, Or.8210/S.5642
• Miaofa lianhua jing, Pumen pin, and Foshuo Dizang pusa jing 妙法蓮華経普門品・仏説地蔵菩薩經 (Illustrated Lotus Sutra). 9th–10th century, British Library, Or.8210/S.6983
• Kako genzai ingakyō 過去現在因果経. 8th century, Nara National Museum, 757-0
• Shiwang jing 十王經 (Sutra of the Ten Kings). 10th century, British Library, Or.8210/S.3961
• Ko atsumori 小敦盛. c. 1600, Keio University Library, 132X@39@1
• Tokiwa no uba 常盤の嫗. c. 1600, Keio University Library, 110X@281@1
• Urashima Tarō 浦島太郎. First half of the 17th century, Keio University Library, 110X@625@1 1- Bunshō zōshi 文正草子. c. 1600, Keio University Library, 110X@444@2
• Aoi 葵 (The Tale of Genji 源氏物語). Second half of the 17th century, Keio University Library, 110X@681@1
• Iwaya no sōshi 岩屋の草子. First half of the 17th century, Keio University Library, 110X@301@1