Title: Wakan Roeishu (Collection of Japanese and Chinese Poems for Singing), Circa 1585-1614. A Striking Manuscript Edition of this Poetry Anthology, attributed to a Famed Calligrapher, in Two Scrolls
Author: First Compiled by Fujiwara no Kintō; Calligraphy Attributed to Konoe Nobutada
Condition: Very Good
An Azuchi-Momoyama to Early Edo Period, late 16th to early 17th century manuscript edition of the Wakan Roeishu, also known as the 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 calligraphy of this manuscript is attributed to Konoe Nobutada (1565–1614), a Momoyama period Japanese courtier well regarded as a poet, calligrapher, painter and diarist. In Japanese calligraphy he is distinguished as one of the Kan'ei Sanpitsu or "Three Brushes of the Kan'ei period", named in imitation of the Heian period Sanpitsu.
He was the son of Konoe Sakihisa by a lady of waiting whose name is unknown. In 1577 he held his Genpuku (coming of age ceremony) and was named Nobumoto. Oda Nobunaga himself led the ceremony and gave one letter of his name 信 (Nobu) to the young noble. Later he changed his name to Nobusuke, and in 1580 was appointed to Naidaijin (Inner Minister), and Sadaijin (Minister of the Left) in 1585. He was also the tutor of the noble lady, calligrapher and poet, Ono Otsu. In 1594 Nobutada angered Emperor Go-Yōzei and was exiled to Bonotsu in Satsuma province, Kyūshū. He stayed there for three years until he received the imperial permission to return to Kyoto and held his Sadaijin position again. In 1605 he was further appointed to Kampaku (Imperial Regent).
The calligraphy in this manuscript does compare rather favorably to another copy of the Wakan Roeishu, also by Nobutada, being object 813131 at the MET. The bold, expressive, and idiosyncratic handwriting does seem to be rather similar in fashion here. Also refer to object 17619 at the Kyoto National Museum.
The manuscript calligraphy has been laid down and bound into scroll format, with decorated, green covers with geometric designs. There are jikusai (knobs). The handscrolls are enclosed in an early wooden box, preserving the contents.
Two handscrolls of calligraphical poetry on fine paper, 30 x 432 cm and 30 x 383 cm
These handscrolls are in very good shape, with some of the decorative covers lacking portions in places. There is minor, scattered spotting throughout, and some creasing. Two sheets of calligraphy are loosening slightly at a corner. There are several repairs to the rear.