Volume 26 of Qunshu Zhiyao (detail), Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 2
March 12, 2024 (Tue) - April 7, 2024 (Sun)
The fifty-volume Qunshu Zhiyao (Digest on Statecraft) was compiled in China in 631 by the order of the emperor. A crucial work for understanding Chinese political theory during that period, it was also studied within courtly circles in Japan.
The volume on display is likely from the oldest surviving copy of the Qunshu Zhiyao, which was created in Japan about 1,000 years ago. To make the copy, artisans dyed the paper in multiple colors and added ruled lines in gold pigment. Several scribes worked together to copy the Chinese text in an elegant calligraphic style.
Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
Highlight | National Treasure | Volume 26 of "Qunshu Zhiyao" | Heian period, 11th century | B-2531-2 |