Hon'ami Koetsu Scribe (1 results)

4to (175 x 228 mm). 52 ff. (last blank). Japanese manuscript on paper, written in a fine calligraphic hand on three shades of torinoko paper, underprinted throughout in white ummo and with many designs. Original gold-patterned silk brocade over semi-stiff boards, bright gold endpapers with diced pattern, retchoso binding. Housed in a wooden case that bears the title and name of the commissioner. The manuscript is wrapped within a white piece of silk for preservation. Includes original autenthification slip (kiwamefuda). Exquisite anthology of one hundred poems, handwritten in fine calligraphy by the famous Hon'ami Koetsu (1558-1637). - The 'Hyakunin Isshu' is a classic anthology of waka, collecting poems by such illustrious authors as Emperor Tenji (7th century), Empress Jito (7th century), the famous waka poet and aristocrat Kakinomoto no Hitomaro (c. 653-707), and the Nara-period poet Yamabe no Akahito (fl. 724-736). The first edition was compiled by the famous calligrapher Fujiwara no Teika (1162-1241), inspired by his son. In one of his diaries, Teika writes: "I have never had good handwriting. But the Novice [Yoritsuna] has been asking that I write out some cartouches for sliding doors of his villa at Saga. Even though I knew they were unsightly, I halfheartedly dipped my brush and sent them off. They are one verse each by poets since antiquity, starting from Emperor Tenji and coming up to Ietaka and Masatsune" (Mostow, p. 25). From that moment on, the collection has been republished and edited by his descendants, "the only people considered appropriate to edit imperial anthologies" (ibid.). Teika's grandchildren disagreed over their grandfather's poetic treatises and the anthology, thereby creating a schism in the Japanese poetic world, dividing it forever into three schools (cf. Mostow, p. 25). - This specimen is an extremely elegant handwritten copy on decorated paper with the most luxurious Saga-bon style white designs (cf. Chibbett, p. 21). The authorship of Hon'ami Koetsu is verified by the kiwamefuda slip, which bears his stamp. This authentication was produced by Kohitsu Ryo'en, a famous calligraphy appraiser from the 17th century, whose name is signed on the wooden case next to that of Hon'ami Koetsu. - An exquisite work of calligraphy in a uniquely beautiful, decorated booklet. - Wooden case worn. Kiwamefuda slip lighly browned. Cover of the manuscript worn on edges and corners; some ink smudges throughout. Occasional light edge flaws to stoff leaves; the lower bottom corners of the first two leaves are splitting. - Last in a French private collection. - Louise A. Cort in John M. Rosenfield et al., The Courtly Tradition in Japanese Art and Literature. Selections from the Hofer and Hyde Collections (Fogg Art Museum, 1973), 302. - Akiko Walley, Tekagami & Ky gire: The University of Oregon Japanese Calligraphy Collection. - Mostow, Joshua. (1996). Pictures of the Heart: The Hyakunin Isshu in Word and Image, p.25. - Chibbett, David. The history of Japanese printing and book illustration.Tokyo, New York, San Francisco: Kodansha International LDT. 1977.…