Title: Shokusenzai Wakashu (Continued Thousand Poetry Collection), 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 Tameyo; Commissioned by Emperor Go-Uda; Unknown Copyist
Condition: Good
An Early Edo Period, 17th century edition of the Shokusenzai Wakashu, also known as the Continued Thousand Poetry Collection.
One of the early imperially commissioned anthologies of Japanese waka poetry, this anthology was first compiled in 1359 by Fujiwara no Tameyo and was commissioned by Emperor Go-Uda.
A nobleman and poet from the late Kamakura period to the early Nanboku-chō period, no Tameyo was the eldest son of Fujiwara no Tameuji, the founder of the Nijō school of waka poetry. 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 2150 poems.
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), 131, 133 leaves
These manuscripts are in very good shape, with minimal rubbing and wear to the covers, though the first volume has split into three sections. There is very little foxing or ink staining throughout.