meaning of this "aoi vines & rolled matts" motif?

[GRC]

I've seen only a few examples of this "aoi vines & rolled matts" motif, but it's fairly consistent so it must have a specific meaning.

Does anyone know what it's significance or origin might be? 

Thanks!

[Steves87]

I always thought mine was a scroll, but a rolled mat makes so much more sense. I hope someone can chime in with a good meaning to the theme

[Bugyotsuji]

I think these are 簾　すだれ sudaré hanging screens, suggesting summer shade and a cooling breeze.

Vines are also used for shade in the summer months.

 

Might go well on a Tamba no Kami Yoshimichi! 

[GRC]

Summary from a member who sent a message:

It's a reference to chapter 9 of the Tale of Genji.

 

And like Piers just pointed out, the matts are actually the rolled blinds that can be used to cover the windows of transport carriages.

 

In chapter 9, Genji (the loverboy) is smitten when he catches a glimpse of a lady through the blinds of a carriage.

 

As far as I can tell, the aoi vines are a reference to Genji's wife who is nicknamed Aoi. 

I also saw the aoi vines referred to as "heart-vines".

So the aoi vines could be a double reference: one to Genji's wife and the other to "tales of the heart" so to speak, when Genji's eye strays towards another woman and all the problems that ensue.

[Kurikata]

Mine

[GRC]

nice examples Stephen and Bruno 

 

Here's another one, complete with an open book!

[Spartancrest]

It might be a gardening book or one on drapery? 

[Spartancrest]

Top quality one in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 29.100.972

76 mm x 73 mm x 5 mm  Wt. 138.9 g  Shakudo, gold and copper.

Like the very first example in the first post. [from the Michael Tomkinson collection (no.82)]. It has Kanmuri (冠) (3). The cap worn by Shinto clergy and courtiers in Japan.

[Spartancrest]

A nice one in Yamagane? Shibuichi? Looks like it was cleaned with steel wool?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/125189054246

[ROKUJURO]

Dale,

 

this looks more like brass which is more resistant to corrosion and takes a long while to show some patina. This one seems indeed a bit cleaned.

[Spartancrest]

Hey these are starting to come out of the woodwork!  https://www.jauce.com/auction/b1042202823

This one looks cast to me, I don't like the look of the hitsu at all.

 

[ROKUJURO]

Yes Dale,

 

and the shallow MEI.

[Spartancrest]

Another aoi and screens https://www.jauce.com/auction/t1042781098 this one looks pretty good.

What started as a fairly obscure design has blossomed into quite a few variations.

 

[Spartancrest]

Old auction image - 

[Spartancrest]

A pretty worn auction piece just put up.

https://www.jauce.com/auction/l1045839161

[Bugyotsuji]

Continuing the theme. Thanks to the above members I can now see it properly. Not just a decorative motif!

 

 

[Ian]

Just to add

[Spartancrest]

One from the Tadamasa Hayashi collection. [image from 1906]

Translated from the French description

"Number 138.  Iron guard chiseled and openwork. Aoi plant and rolled blind. By Bushû. Beginning of the 17th c."

 

A very similar design to the one posted by Glen [GRC]  on February 13, even down to the open book.

 

[roger dundas]

No doubt about you Dale, forever coming up with more and more examples and info relevant to a topic. Your research abilities are top class.

Roger j

[Spartancrest]

Thanks a lot Roger. As it happens I am about to release a new "old" book on the Tadamasa Hayashi collection from back in 1906 and I stumbled on one of his images of a "16th century cast bronze" guard only to turn around and find it's utsushi listed on eBay [I have grave doubts either are 16th century.]

 

 

[Spartancrest]

One that got away - https://www.jauce.com/auction/b1060869808 a perfect match for  Steves87  Posted February 12

 

Another from a Japanese book I have [please excuse the glare spot from very shiny paper] 

 

[Spartancrest]

Another subtle Aoi and screen with extra feature of the wagon wheel.  https://www.jauce.com/auction/b1062022558

[Spartancrest]

This is an unusual case of the Aoi and screen being the secondary depiction on the ura side.

Found in the Walters Art Museum.

51.129

"Tsuba with a Hanging Bouquet ("Kusudama")" 2 7/16 x 2 x 3/16 in. (6.17 x 5.04 x 0.4 cm)

Ichijuken Teruaki.   -  Kato Teruaki (active ca. 1858-1861) 一壽軒　英明

[Spartancrest]

They sure made a few of this design -  https://www.jauce.com/auction/g1055737662

 

One that got away https://www.jauce.com/auction/b1060869808  will find its home with Steves87.  In we hope, a short time. 

 

[Steves87]

I generally suffer from bad timing syndrome, I really must thank Dale a thousand times over for the opportunity!

 

It really is a popular theme, didn't think so before this thread though!

I'll post both together soon, all things going well

[Spartancrest]

Well Stephen has declined a "Trio" so this one has turned up-  https://www.jauce.com/auction/r1053623395  

The auction has ended but may well get relisted. A little worse for wear and overpriced for the condition.  

 

 

Yes the auction has re-listed it. 8 hrs later.

Edited September 26, 2022 by Spartancrest
new data

[1kinko]

I picked this up 2 years ago at the NCJS show and would like to know the symbolism on the ura side.

[1kinko]

No guesses either?

[MauroP]

In ura is depicted a whip (鞭 - muchi). So if the implements in omote refers to a lady (according to Genji Monogatari's chapter), the ura could be a reference to the male counterpart. Just my hypotesis.

[Spartancrest]

The lady is the Aoi, screened from prying eyes.The whip is the man, strength and dominance.