Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room T1
June 19, 2007 (Tue) - August 19, 2007 (Sun)
This display highlights calligraphic works by emperors who were also famous calligraphers from the Nara (710-794) through the Edo period (1603-1867). This exhibit includes works that are attributed to them, as well as trace how the style of each school was passed down and developed by successive generations.
The character writing system was originally introduced from China, but, through the efforts of aristocrats, such as Ono no Tofu (894-966) and Fujiwara no Kozei (972-1027), who were also master calligraphers, Chinese calligraphy was developed into a unique Japanese calligraphy, known as wayo.
Members of aristocratic society were also administrative officials at the imperial court, and they were expected to be excellent calligraphers. The emperor, as head of the aristocracy, played a leading role in shaping aristocratic culture. Emperors who were also distinguished calligraphers include Shomu (701-756), Saga (786-842), Fushimi (1265-1317) and Goyozei (1571-1617).
Emperors' writings from the Kamakura period (1192-1333) onward are known as "Shinkan style". They are highly regarded for their substantial brush strokes and elegant style. Like calligraphy by aristocrats, emperors' shinkan calligraphy showed various individual styles. Based on the traditional wayo style, they reviewed their schools' past developments and revived early styles. Notable among these are the Gokomatsuin style, which featured supple and elegant brushwork, established by Emperor Gokomatsu (1377-1433), the forceful Chokuhitsu style that was established by Emperor Goen'yu (1358-1393) and continued until Emperor Gotsuchimikado (1442-1500), and the Gokashiwabara in style that featured contrasts of thin and thick, and strong and soft strokes and was developed by Emperor Gokashiwabara (1464-1526) and continued to be used until the Edo period (1603-1868).
Major works in this exhibition