“The Princess Who Loved Insects” is one of ten stories in the Japanese collection “Tales of the Councilor of the Dike” (Tsutsumi Chūnagon monogatari – 堤中納言物語), partly written at the end of the Heian period (794-1185). The story describes the strange attitude of a young girl who mocks the social conventions of the imperial court: this eccentric allows herself to be seen by unknown men, against all propriety, and attaches little importance to taking care of her physical appearance. Moreover, much to the dismay of those around her, the princess in question is fascinated by insects and caterpillars, whose metamorphoses she loves to observe…
For this text, with its satirical and philosophical undertones, David Balade offers a series of about ten original illustrations inspired by the art of “Yamato-e,” or painting of a specifically Japanese nature, and more particularly by “e-maki,” painted scrolls that illustrate various aspects of the imagination and daily life during the Kamakura period (1185-1333).
“Next to the home of a young lady who loved butterflies lived the daughter of a Grand Referendary-Inspector of the provinces. The care her parents lavished on her was as admirable as it was unusual.”
This young lady claimed that people who “are enraptured by flowers and butterflies have a superficial and vulgar mind, whereas the human being who sincerely seeks the true nature of things, that one, in truth, displays magnificent qualities,” and she collected all sorts of insects, each more frightening than the last. “Let’s see how this one develops!” she would say, as her noble hand enclosed the creatures in various boxes made for this purpose. Among all these insects, she found caterpillars, from which emanated such an impression of wisdom, to be of incomparable refinement. Day and night, tossing her hair behind her ears, she would spread the caterpillars on her hand and had eyes only for them…
Excerpt from Tales of the Dike Councilor:
The Well-Bred Girl Who Loved Insects
Translated from the Japanese by Renée Garde
Philippe Picquier Publishers, March 2001
ISBN 2-87730-535-X