"E-awase" means a picture or painting contest in which two competing sides submit paintings in pairs for judgment. Such contests were popular among Heian aristocrats from the 11th c. Each side in turn was required to present a painting in handscroll or booklet format for comparison and appreciation. Poetry or poetic titles were sometimes attached to each painting. Artistic skill, propriety of subject matter and the quality of the mountings were all taken into account in judging. (from JAANUS)
The earliest reference to the e-awase of scroll paintings is found here in the Genji. In fact, the picture contest in the Genji was based on the established pattern for poetry contests (uta-awase), which were regularly held at the palace (we have a fully documented sample from 960).
This chapter takes place from spring to autumn, a year or two after the time covered by "The Pilgrimage to Sumiyoshi."
[Tosa Mitsunobu (Harvard Museum)]
Genji's ward, the former high priestess of Ise, and daughter of the late Lady Rokujo, enters the service of Emperor Reizei at the recommendation of Her Cloistered Eminence Fujitsubo. The Retired Emperor Suzaku, who had been long in love with her, was disappointed, but sent lavish gifts on the day of her installation. She is now known as Junior Consort Umetsubo (Plum Court), and will later become Empress Akikonomu. She competes for the emperor's favor with Junior Consort Kokiden, daughter of Genji's friend To no Chujo (the competition is not very good for their friendship!).
The young Emperor Reizei did not become attached to Umetsubo/Akikonomu at first, because she was several years older, but their shared interest in painting brings them together. This leads to rivalry with the Kokiden faction candidate for Empress. Kokiden's father, To no Chujo, finds out about this, and, not willing to be outdone, he starts collecting splendid pictures to draw the emperor's attention. He assembles the finest artists and sends these works to the palace. This leads to plans for a picture contest between the salons of the two imperial consorts.
Pictures in each faction's collections are pitted against one another, first in front of Her Cloistered Eminence Fujitsubo, then, in the second round, in front of the Emperor himself. The fathers of both consorts are present on the day of the final competition, with Genji's younger brother, prince Hotaru (His Highness of War), as judge. The contest is held in spectacular style and paintings of equal magnificence are displayed one after another, making it difficult to select a winner.
In the final match, Genji unveils the picture-diary he has painted about his exile in Suma. It has a stunning impact on all present, because the drawings are excellent and the poetic contents very moving. So in the end, Umetsubo's side wins the day.
Later Genji takes the opportunity to show his illustrated journals privately to Fujitsubo as well.
Genji-e
Scenes often chosen for illustration include: Genji and Murasaki collecting pictures for the upcoming competition, when Genji shows her his Suma diary for the first time; and the actual competition before the emperor (as in the illustration at the top of this page).
Reading The Tale of Genji