Woman of Takayasu, from the Tales of Ise, early 19th century, Sakai H?itsu, Japanese, 1761 - 1828, 38 ¡Ñ 15 3/16 in. (96.52 ¡Ñ 38.58 cm) (image)70 1/2 ¡Ñ 18 5/8 in. (179.07 ¡Ñ 47.31 cm) (mount), Ink and color on silk, Japan, 19th century, This is a scene from the Tales of Ise (Ise monogatari), a collection of prose and poetry from the 10th century. As the story goes, a husband starts an affair with a woman from Takayasu. Since his wife does not appear jealous, he suspects that she has a lover, too, and one day he hides in the garden to observe her. When he sees her reciting a poem about her wish for him to return safely from his journey, the husband decides never to visit his mistress again. Some time later, on a trip to Takayasu, he visits the former mistress's house and, as depicted here, sees her in careless attire, with a rice ladle in her hands and an overflowing bowl of food. This sight disgusts him so much that he decides never to return to Takayasu again.