Title: Wakan Roeishu (Collection of Japanese and Chinese Poems for Singing), 1712. A Rather Monumental Edition of this Collection of Poetry, with both Kanji and Calligraphical Scripts, in Two Scrolls
Author: First Compiled by Fujiwara no Kintō; Calligraphy Attributed to Sasaki Bunzan
Condition: Very Good
A Mid Edo Period, early 18th century manuscript edition of the Wakan Roeishu, or Collection of Japanese and Chinese Poems for Singing, in handscroll format.
The anthology is that of Chinese poetry and 31-syllable Japanese waka poetry, for singing to fixed melodied, though the melodies themselves are lost and considered extinct. First compiled by Fujiwara no Kintō Circa 1013, there are roughly 588 Chinese poems by roughly 30 Chinese poets, including Bai Juyi (772－846), Yuan Zhen (779－831) and Xu Hun (Circa 850). Of the Japanese poets of the Chinese verses, there are famed names such as Sugawara no Michizane, Minamoto no Shitagau (911－983), Ōe no Asatsuna (886－957), Ki no Haseo (845－912), and more. The 216 waka poems in the collection are by 80 famed poets such as Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, Ki no Tsurayuki, Ōshikōchi Mitsune, and many, many more.
The work is divided into two books, being Seasonal Poems, and Miscellanea. They are further sub-classified by common topics, with waka on the same subjects.
The manuscript has been produced on fine torinoko paper, but also goes further than most standard manuscript anthologies, with the calligrapher having written the poetry in both kanji and calligraphical forms, which would explain the tremendous length and amount of calligraphy.
The manuscript is dated March, Hoei 8 (1712) at the end of the second volume, bearing the signature and artist seal of Sasaki Bunzan (1659-1735). A calligrapher from the Early to Mid Edo Period, Bunzan’s given name was Osamu. He served the Sanuki Takamatsu domain, and along with his brother Sasaki Ikenan, was skilled in Chinese and Korean calligraphy. He lived in Edo, was acquainted with Enomoto Kikaku and others, and was known as a man of refined tastes, passing away at the age of 77.
The manuscript calligraphy has been laid down and bound in scroll format for preservation, with beautiful brocade decorated covers of blue against yellow crosses, and there are jikusaki (knobs). The handscrolls are enclosed in a battered, but early wooden box, preserving the contents.
Two brocade decorated handscrolls on fine paper, 32.8 x 1762 cm and 32.8 x 1842 cm
These handscrolls are in very good shape, with minor rubbing and wear to the decorative covers, and one cover loosened from the main sheets at the center, but holding. There are a few worm tracks to the beginning and end of both volumes, heavier to the second volume. A few sheets are slightly loosening at corners but holding. There is minor soiling and staining, heaviest at the end, and some creasing.