Title: Tomioka Haruko Wakatanzaku Jō (Haruko Tomioka's Waka Tanka Book), Circa 1870-1920. A Vast Collection of 103 Strips of Decorated Tanzaku Poetry by a Skilled Female Poet of the Meiji to Showa Periods. Many Illuminated
Author: Attributed to Tomioka Haruko
Condition: Very Good
A Meiji to Taisho Period pair of two manuscript albums, entitled Tomioka Haruko wakatanzaku jō, or Haruko Tomioka's Waka Tanka Book.
As the title would entail, the albums are a vast collection of waka poetry and calligraphy, in the form of 103 strips of tanzaku strip poetry, attributed to the calligrapher and poet Tomioka Haruko (1847 - 1940), wife of the noted calligrapher and artist Tomioka Tessai. Haruko was the third daughter of Sasaki Teizo, a samurai of the Iyo clan, and although holdings are scarce, it is clear that she was skilled in calligraphy and poetry. She passed away at the venerable age of 94.
The calligraphy is painted in a graceful form, with thick, bold, brushstrokes. Many of the strips are painted with blue and purple ends, but some are colored differently, painted with golden reeds, or even decorated with gold sprays.
All of the strips have been laid down and bound in two large albums, with brocade decorated covers of blue and swirling floral designs. There is a wooden box to accompany the albums, preserving the contents.
Two albums of decorated tanzaku strips of poetry in orihon format (40.5 x 21.2 cm), 103 strips
These albums are in very good shape, with minimal rubbing and wear to the bindings. There is very little foxing or staining of any kind throughout, though a few of the threads holding poetry strips have broken.