Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings
Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings

Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Poetry, with 46 Yamato-E Paintings

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Title: Senzai Wakashu Gajo (Collection of a Thousand Years Illustrated Collection), Circa 1650-1750. A Rare and Sumptuously Illuminated Manuscript of Books 1-3 of this Imperially Commissioned Anthology of Japanese Waka Poetry, with 46 Large Yamato-E Paintings and Accompanying Poetry
Author: Compiled by Fujiwara no Shunzei; Various Authors; Unknown Copyist and Artist
Condition: Very Good

An Early to Mid Edo Period, 17th to mid 18th century, sumptuously illuminated and extravagantly produced album of paintings and poetry, comprising of Volumes 1-3 of the Senzai Wakashu, in the form of 46 large paintings.

Japan’s seventh imperially commissioned waka collection from the early Kamakura period, the Senzai Wakashu originally comprised of 20 volumes, and a staggering 1288 poems. In the Second Year of Juei, Fujiwara no Shunzei received the commission order from Emperor Go-Shirakawa and presented the completed work in April of the Four Year of Bunji. In terms of organization, it is notable for the fact that it has a kana preface, with the Zatsuge section being classified as miscellaneous, and contains choka, tantoka, and slanderous poems, with a volume devoted to Buddhism and Shinto respectively. The selection of poems spans the period from the time of Emperor Ichijō in the mid-Heian period to the time of the collection's creation, and there are 385 poets whose names are clearly stated. The main poets are Minamoto no Toshiyori, Fujiwara no Shunzei, Mototoshi, the retired Emperor Sutoku, Toshie, Izumi Shikibu, and Fujiwara no Kiyosuke. Among the unknown authors are works by Taira clan poets such as Taira no Tadanori and Tsunemori, who could not be clearly listed because they were considered enemies of the court. The style of the poems is generally plain, clear, and gentle, as it was an attempt to correct the excesses of the Kin'yo Wakashu and Shika Wakashu, which strongly emphasized novelty, but there are also many refreshing descriptive poems, fresh lyric poems, and profound philosophical poems.

Each painting has been produced on fine paper and is beautifully decorated with profuse usage of gold spray and clouds to decorate the borders upper background, in the style of a Yamato-E painting. There are groupings of different poets from the Wakashu in each painting, sitting atop a green field/floor, with their respective poetry above. While the faces are rather simply in design, considerable time and effort has been spent by the artist into detailing the clothing of each poet, with gold detailing to the various kimonos and robes, making every figure distinctly stand out. Each painting is bordered with gold and silver patterned paper.

Having referenced Worldcat, Kokusho, Bunka, the British Library, the Smithsonian, the LOC, several other major US institutions, Keio University Libraries, the National Diet Library, Waseda University Library, and Tohoku University Library, I can find no comparable manuscript of the Senzai Wakashu produced in this manner, nor can I find any of the sister volumes, whether in collections or at sale, as there would have been 20 books total.

The paintings have been laid down and finely bound in orihon album format, with beautiful, blue and green brocade fabric covers, with floral designs, and metal fittings to the corners. The endpapers have been beautifully decorated with gold spray. There is a broken wooden box to accompany the album, preserving the contents.

One finely bound album of 46 large, illuminated paintings and calligraphy (Album Size 39.4 x 29 cm, Painting Size 32.5 x 23.3 cm), 24 leaves

This album is in very good shape, with minimal rubbing or wear to the binding. Much of the painting background decorated with gold spray has dulled in places, and there is very light paint loss or minor smearing in places to the floor detailing. There is light, scattered spotting in places, and a musty smell to the paintings, likely due to poor storage by the prior owner.