Nine poems from the Shūi wakashū
Artist
Hon'ami Kōetsu
(Japanese, 1558 - 1637)
Dateca. 1605-1610
MediumHandscroll; ink on paper, with mica block-printed designs of wisteria, paulownia and pampas grass
DimensionsOverall: 13 1/2 × 123 inches (34.29 × 312.42 cm)
Credit LinePurchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust through the George H. and Elizabeth O. Davis Fund
Object number2007.5
InscribedMounter's seal and inscriptions on the back of the scroll
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionThe scroll consists of three joined sheets of paper. The cursive-script calligraphy was written in black ink over the paper and the mica background. A seal, two small inscriptions, which are probably the mark of the original mounter, are seen on the back where the paper joins and suggests that the mounting may be original. The scroll is packed in a beige silk fabric, a wood box with gold inscription, three pieces of paper with writing, an outer box and a striped fabric wrapper.Gallery LabelThe Shui wakashu (Collection of Gleanings) is an anthology of waka (poetry) that was compiled at the behest of Emperor Kanan by Fujiwara no Kinto (966–1041) of the Heian period (794–1185). Interest in the art of this period was revived by Hon’ami Ko—oetsu. Born into a family of sword connoisseurs who served both the imperial court and daimyo warlords, Ko—oetsu was an accomplished ceramist and calligrapher. Here, Ko—oetsu’s graceful cursive calligraphy perfectly evokes Heian court style: the soft, pliant and flowing ink brushstrokes written on a paper printed with opulent floral designs, creates an elegant decorative effect that was later to become characteristic of the Rimpa School.
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