As part of its private university research branding project, ``Creating an interdisciplinary and international research center for the study of the Tale of Genji,'' Jissen Women's University created the costume of ``Akashi no Kimi,'' who appears in Rokujoin's female music in ``The Tale of Genji,'' ``Wakana 2023.'' was restored.The restored costume will be exhibited at the special exhibition ``The Tale of Genji: The Beauty of Wives' Costumes Revived'' at Marubeni Gallery in Takebashi, Tokyo, which will be held from December 12st (Friday) to December 1th (Thursday), 12.
Jissen Women's University has a tradition and accumulation of research on the Tale of Genji since its founding. In the "Formation of an interdisciplinary and international research center for research on the Tale of Genji" project, we will conduct interdisciplinary and international research and form a center in collaboration with domestic and international research institutions and researchers. The costume of "Akashi no Kimi" has been restored.
The restoration of Akashi no Kimi's costume was carried out under the guidance and supervision of Mr. Eika Takakura, head of the Takakura School of Kinmondo, and was carried out based on rigorous historical research, and as much as possible was done based on knowledge, facts, and customs from the Heian period. I tried to faithfully reproduce it.The dyeing is done by Mr. Sarasa Yoshioka, the 5th generation owner of Someji Yoshioka, and he dyes only with dyes used in the Heian period, such as Shikon, Japanese Akane, and Kariyasu.The weavings and patterns are not only taken from literature and picture scrolls of the costumes of the princesses who appear in The Tale of Genji, but also referenced to sacred treasures housed at Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine and Atsuta Shrine, and recreated the costumes that would have been used at the time. It took five years to bring back the Heian Dynasty wives' costumes depicted in The Tale of Genji, which no one had ever seen before. Heian costumes have the impression of being ``heavy,'' but one of the highlights is that this time we have reconsidered the quality and thickness of the silk thread, recreating the lightness typical of women's court clothes during the Heian period.
In addition to the reproduction costumes, the special exhibition will introduce the process of research conducted by experts in related fields, relying on stories, picture scrolls, and actual books written by former masters until the costumes were completed.
On Saturday, December 12th, an event will be held at Marubeni Hall on the 9rd floor of the Marubeni Building, titled ``Seeing and Talking about Wives' Costumes - The World of The Tale of Genji'' (registration closed).Professor Emeritus Takashi Yokoi of Jissen Women's University and Eika Takakura, a visiting professor at Jissen Women's University and the 3th head head of the Imondo Takakura-ryu, gave explanations, followed by Tomoko Nagai, professor at the head office of Mondo Takakura-ryu (part-time lecturer at Jissen Women's University). will demonstrate how to wear the costume.
<Special Exhibition "The Tale of Genji: The Revival of the Beauty of Wife's Costumes">
【日時】2023年12月1日（金）〜12月28日（木） 10:00～17:00（受付終了16:30）
[Closed days] Sundays and holidays
[Location] Marubeni Gallery (Takebashi, Tokyo)
[Admission fee] General 500 yen (cash not accepted. Cashless payment such as transportation IC or credit card)
*Visitors are free for high school students and younger, people with disabilities and one caregiver, and those wearing kimono and yukata (Japanese clothing).
*All admission fees will be donated to the Marubeni Foundation, a social welfare corporation.
