Title: Shinsenzai Wakashū (New Waka Collection of a Thousand Years), Circa 1600-1650. Illuminated Manuscript Edition of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Waka Poetry, Decorated with Golden Sprays and Reeds. 20 Volumes in 2 Beautifully Bound Books
Author: Compiled by Fujiwara no Tamesada; Commissioned by Emperor Go-Kōgon at the request of shogun Ashikaga Takauji; Unknown Copyist
Condition: Very Good
An Early Edo Period, 17th century edition of the Shinsenzai Wakashū, also known as the New Waka Collection of a Thousand Years. The name is in opposition to the prior Senzai Wakashū.
One of the early imperially commissioned anthologies of Japanese waka poetry, this anthology was first compiled in 1359 by Fujiwara no Tamesada and was commissioned by Emperor Go-Kōgon at the behest of shogun Ashikaga Takauji, first of the Ashikaga Shogunate. no Tamesada 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 2364 poems. Though the collection has been viewed as mediocre in terms of quality, it still serves as an example of how power continued to transfer from the emperors to the military authorities- traditionally, announcing the collection of a new Imperial anthology was the exclusive privilege of an Emperor.
The manuscripts are written on very fine torinoko paper, and in a beautiful, calligraphic, script. The pages have been decorated with golden sprays and reeds throughout.
Each manuscript has also been beautifully bound in silk brocade chitsu, the front endpaper and pastedown decorated with golden sprays and flowering reeds.
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), 183, 138 leaves
These manuscripts are in very good shape, with minimal rubbing and wear to the bindings, though the cords of the first volume are a bit loosened, with one cord lacking, and a bit of worming to the rear. There is very little foxing or ink staining throughout, and a minor worm track to the upper corner of the last three or four leaves.