Title: Zokushui Wakashu (Continued Collection of Waka Poems), Circa 1600-1700. 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 Tameuji and Fujiwara no Yoshiyuki; Commissioned by Retired Emperor Kameyama
Condition: Good
An Early Edo Period, 17th century edition of the Shokugoshūi Wakashū, also known as the Later Collection of Gleanings of Japanese Poems Continued. This is the final poetry anthology compiled by the Nijō School.
One of the early imperially commissioned anthologies of Japanese waka poetry, this anthology was first compiled in 1278 by Fujiwara no Tameuji and finished by Fujiwara no Yoshiyuki, commissioned the Retired Emperor Kameyama. no Tameuji and no Yoshiyuki were members 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 1461 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), 87, 97 leaves
These manuscripts are in good shape, with minor rubbing and wear to the bindings. The second volume is split in two. There is very little foxing or staining throughout.