Title: Sanjurokkasen (The Thirty-Six Immortals of Poetry), Circa 1603-1850. A Collection of Poetry on Thirty-Six Beautifully Painted and Illuminated Shikishi Format Leaves
Author: Various; Poetry Originally Compiled by Fujiwara no Kinto
Condition: Very Good
An Edo Period, 17th to mid 19th century manuscript collection of the Sanjurokkasen, also more famously known as the Thirty-Six Immortals of Poetry, in thirty-six painted sheets of calligraphy.
Selected by Fujiwara no Kintō of the Heian Period, they are a group of Japanese poets of the Asuka, Nara, and Heian Periods as exemplars of Japanese poetic ability.
Since that, various editions of the Sanjurokkasen have been produced, from the Thirty-Six Female Immortals of Poetry, the New Thirty-Six Immortals of Poetry, and even the Late Classical Thirty-Six Immortals of Poetry, each with a unique selection of poets.
Each poem for their respective poet is produced on beautifully decorated shikishi leaves, of which have been beautifully painted with gold spray, clouds, and other designs, brightly enhancing the calligraphy.
Judging by the paper remnants to the rear, it is likely these pieces were once mounted as a folding screen display, or as an album.
36 illuminated shikishi format leaves on paper, 20.3 x 18.4 cm
These manuscripts are in very good shape, with minimal rubbing and wear to the paint and calligraphy.