Paper and Brush: Decorated Paper from the Heian Period
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Collection of Japanese Poems Ancient and Modern (First Volume of the Gen’ei Version) (detail), Heian period, 12th century (National Treasure)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room T1
September 24, 2020 (Thu) - November 23, 2020 (Mon)During the Heian period (794–1192), skilled calligraphers inscribed decorated paper with poetry, after which it was exchanged as gifts between court nobles. Within extant examples of paper adorned with woodblock-printed patterns, both Chinese and Japanese works remain. Paper was also decorated with clouds, background paintings, and sprinkled gold and silver. In this thematic exhibition you can catch a glimpse of the fierce rivalry between paper makers and calligraphers.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Fragment of Volume 13 of the “Collection of Japanese Poems Ancient and Modern” (Handscroll Version) | By Fujiwara no Sadazane (active 1077-1119) | Heian period, 12th century | |||
| Fragment of the “Collection of Japanese Poems Ancient and Modern” (Handscroll Version) | By Fujiwara no Sadazane (active 1077–1119) | Heian period, 12th century | Gift of Mrs. Morita Chikka B-2992 | ||||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Fragment of Poetry | Attributed to Ōno no Tōfū (894–966) | Heian period, 10th century | Lent by the Agency for Cultural Affairs | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | “Lotus Sutra” (Kunō-ji Temple Version) | Heian period, 12th century | B-2396-1 | |||
| Highlight | National Treasure | “Collection of Japanese Poems Ancient and Modern” | Heian period, 12th century | Gift of Mr. Mitsui Takahiro B-2814-1 |