Title: Shingosen Wakashū (New Later Collection of Waka), Circa 1600-1650. Illuminated Manuscript Edition of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Waka Poetry, On Fine Torinoko Paper and Decorated with Golden Sprays and Reeds. 20 Volumes in 2 Beautifully Bound Books
Author: Compiled by Fujiwara no Tameyo; Commissioned by Emperor Go-Uda; Unknown Copyist
Condition: Very Good
An Early Edo Period, 17th century edition of the Shingosen Wakashū, also known as the New Later Collection of Waka. The name comes from the fact that it was in opposition to the previous Gosen Wakashū
One of the early imperially commissioned anthologies of Japanese waka poetry, this anthology was first compiled in 1303 by Fujiwara no Tameyo, at the behest of Retired Emperor Go-Uda.
no Tameyo was a member of the Nijō School of Poetry, one of the more conservative schools and comprised of descendants of Fujiwara no Tameie's eldest son, Nijō Tameuji. The school carried a bias toward the politics and poetics aimed at preserving the ideals of Fujiwara no Shunzei and Fujiwara no Teika and is credited for the compilation of eleven out of the thirteen later imperial anthologies, also known as the Jūsandaishū.
The anthology follows a standard breakdown of 20 volumes, containing 1606 poems.
The manuscripts are written on very fine torinoko paper, and in a beautiful, calligraphic, script.
Each manuscript has also been beautifully bound in silk brocade chitsu, the front endpaper and pastedown decorated with golden sprays and flowering reeds, and those same golden sprays and reeds cropping up throughout the pages.
On note of provenance, these manuscripts come from an old family storehouse in Japan which was recently sold in mid-2025, as separate lots.
Two finely bound manuscripts in quarto (24.5 x 16.5 cm), 102, 97 leaves
These manuscripts are in very good shape, with minor rubbing and wear to the bindings. There is very little foxing or staining throughout.