Jump to content
Font Size：

Language

The Beauty of Hiragana Calligraphy: Koya-gire Segments

  • Image of "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)"

    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.

 Major works in this exhibition
* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
 Major works in this exhibition
* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
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)
Record of the Poetry Contest at the Palace of the Empress in the Kampyo Era, Attributed to Prince Munetaka, Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
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)
 

Thematic Exhibition Catalogues

Tokyo National Museum Selection: The Koya Gire Segments and the Beauty of Kana Calligraphy
Tokyo National Museum Selection
The Koya Gire Segments and the Beauty of Kana Calligraphy
by Emi Chizuko
(In Japanese)

Issued by: Tokyo National Museum
Price: 1200 yen (Tax exclusive)
All colore 64p (235㎜×190㎜)

On sale in the museum shop from May 8, 2018.

Related Events
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room T1  May 8, 2018 (Tue)   14:00 - 14:30   RESERVE_DAY
Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Auditorium  June 9, 2018 (Sat)   13:30 - 15:00   RESERVE_DAY
Exhibitions