Genji's World

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens -- South Florida's mecca for Japanese culture -- will open its doors after hours Thursday for a lecture based on its current exhibit, "Genji's World in Japanese Woodblock Prints." Featuring more than 50 woodblock prints, "Genji's World" illustrates scenes from The Tale of Genji -- an 11th-century story considered to be the world's first novel -- and the 19th-century parody Rustic Genji. The latter was a hugely popular revival of the story of the Shining Prince Genji, who searches for a missing sword and romances many women along the way. The hand-colored woodblocks are presented as triptychs and are part of a touring exhibition on display through May 18. On Thursday, Morikami assistant curator for Japanese prints Sarah E. Thompson will discuss "Genji's World" and the complexity of transitioning from books to plays and prints in a lecture titled "The Shining Prince on Stage: Inaka Genji in Kabuki Plays and Prints." The discussion will take place in the Morikami Theater from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. The museum typically closes at 5 p.m., but its doors will reopen at 6 to give attendees the chance to browse the artwork before the lecture begins. Tickets cost $7 for museum members and $10 for nonmembers; advance purchase is required. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach. Visit morikami.org, or call 561-495-0233.
Thu., April 17, 7:15-8:30 p.m., 2014