Ancient Literature in our Modern World

In this painting by Yoshitaka Amano, you can see Genji and Murasaki reaching out for each other. This painting sort of reminds you of “The Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo. There is a central theme of yearning for the love of the other person from each individual. They are both reaching out for each other in a setting that seems to be a dark empty night sky to clearly separate them from their background. Amano uses color to clearly differentiate the two buy giving them clothing in red and yellow. These are two completely different choices in the color spectrum to show there is no link between Genji and Murasaki, yet the universe behind them allows them to find each other in the darkness they are both a part of. Another interpretation of this painting could be the tragic death Murasaki faces at such a young age. Instead of yearning for each other and coming closer, the diagonal linear perspective from the top right to the bottom left emphasizes a sort of outward movement in the painting. The facial features in both figures projects a sorrowful feeling towards the audience. This sorrowful feeling is because of Murasaki’s death and they both have to face the reality that they are being pulled away from each other because of Murasaki’s death. Amano gives Murasaki more designs on her clothing and more detailed facial features than Genji to put more emphasis on her. Amano has also painted a sort of elegant handful of cluster in the bottom right to depict a sense of chaos but at the same time beauty, a reference to the relationship of Murasaki and Genji.