The Third Princess with her Cat - Tsukioka Settei

A refined depiction of the Third Princess from The Tale of Genji, captured in ink and colour on silk by the Osaka-based artist Tsukioka Settei.

This hanging scroll depicts the Third Princess, a central figure from the New Herbs (Wakana) chapter of the eleventh-century Japanese classic, The Tale of Genji. Tsukioka Settei, a painter active in the Osaka region during the mid-Edo period, captures the princess in a moment of quiet domesticity. She is shown in traditional court attire, her layered robes rendered with delicate brushwork that suggests the weight and texture of silk. The composition is sparse, placing the figure against a neutral background to focus attention on her posture and the small cat tethered to her side by a cord.

The inclusion of the cat is a specific narrative reference to the original text, where the animal accidentally lifts the bamboo blind, revealing the princess to Kashiwagi and initiating the complex romantic entanglements that define the chapter. Settei avoids the exaggerated features common in later ukiyo-e prints, opting instead for a refined, elegant aesthetic that draws upon earlier traditions of Japanese painting. The colour palette is restrained, relying on soft greens and muted reds to define the robes, while the ink lines remain precise and controlled throughout the figure's form.

Settei was known for his work in the Kamigata style, which often favoured a more lyrical approach to subject matter compared to the bold, graphic nature of contemporary Edo-based artists. This work demonstrates his ability to translate literary themes into visual form without relying on excessive ornamentation. The scroll format itself dictates the vertical orientation, allowing the figure to occupy the lower portion of the space, which creates a sense of openness and calm. The work remains a fine example of how classical literature continued to inform the visual arts in eighteenth-century Japan, providing a bridge between ancient courtly narratives and the popular culture of the Edo period.