National Treasure Gallery: Poems of Bai Juyi
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Poems of Bai Juyi, By Fujiwara no Kozei, Heian period, dated 1018 (National Treasure)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 2
February 16, 2016 (Tue) - March 13, 2016 (Sun)This scroll contains eight Chinese poems in an elegant script on fine paper in different colors. These poems are from volume 65 of the Baishi wenji, the poetry anthology of Bai Juyi (772-846) of the Tang dynasty. Anthologies of Chinese poetry were considered an essential part of culture and education among Japanese aristocrats of the Heian period (794-1192). The Baishi wenji in particular was very popular and its poems were recited with great admiration.
Fujiwara no Yukinari (972-1027), one of the most influential calligraphers in Japanese history, was commissioned to create this scroll as an aristocratic gift. The afterword dates it to “the second year of the Kan’nin era,” meaning that Yukinari created it at the age of 47. Following the afterword is a postscript by Fujiwara no Sadanobu (1088-after 1154), the fifth head of the Sesonji clan, which was founded by Yukinari and included other skilled calligraphers. In this postscript, Sadanobu writes that he purchased this scroll together with the Byobu dodai, a draft by another renowned calligrapher, Ono no Tofu (894-966), which is now at The Museum of the Imperial Collections. Moreover, the joints on the back of this scroll are sending by Emperor Fushimi (1265～1317), himself recognized as a superb calligrapher. We know from these signatures that the emperor prized this work.
In the afterword, Yukinari says that the brush he used was a borrowed one, and as a result, his calligraphy looks different than usual. He asks the reader not to laugh at this inconsistency. Despite his plea, this works is a masterpiece that demonstrates his talents to the fullest: The calligraphy is well-structured and shows a superb balance between light and dark ink as well as cursive and semi-cursive scripts.On Exhibit:
Poems of Bai Juyi, By Fujiwara no Kozei, Heian period, dated 1018 (National Treasure)
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | National Treasure | Poems of Bai Juyi | By Fujiwara no Kozei | Heian period, dated 1018 | B-2533 |