The Beauty of Hiragana Calligraphy: Koya-gire Segments
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Detached Segment of Kokin waka shu Poetry Anthology, Vol. 19 Known as “Koya gire” (detail), Attributed to Ki no Tsurayuki, Heian period, 11th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mrs. Morita Chikuka)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room T1
May 8, 2018 (Tue) - July 1, 2018 (Sun)Segments of calligraphy known as the “Koya gire” constitute the oldest extant transcriptions of the Kokin waka shu poetry anthology. These segments are considered masterpieces of calligraphy, the elegance of which is unrivaled in the history of Japan, and they are the models on which today’s hiragana characters are based. This exhibition introduces the Koya-gire segments, other works by the same calligraphers, works similar to these segments, and other hiragana calligraphy from around the same time.
Current exhibit includes:
Detached Segment of Wakatai jisshu (Treatise on poetry), Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
Record of the Poetry Contest at the Palace of the Empress in the Kampyo Era, Attributed to Imperial Prince Munetaka, Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
Detached Segment of Kokin waka shu Poetry Anthology, Vol. 19 Known as “Koya gire”, Attributed to Ki no Tsurayuki, Heian period, 11th century (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mrs. Morita Chikuka)
Man'yo shu Poetry Anthology, Genryaku Version, Vol. 1 Known as ”Furukawa bon”, Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
Man'yo shu Poetry Anthology, Genryaku Version, Vol. 2 Known as ”Furukawa bon”, Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
Album of Exemplary Calligraphy Known as ”Getsudai”, Nara–Kamakura period, 8th–14th century (Important Cultural Property)