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Takeuchi Seiho Modern Japanese Painting Perfume Flacons Ukiyo-e Narrative picture scrolls and books Calligraphy Chinese woodblock prints Iwakura Tomomi Archive

Calligraphy

Calligraphy is about more than just the message contained in the writing. The spirit and aesthetic sensibilities of the calligrapher are also conveyed in the type of paper used, the arrangement of the characters, the ink shadings, and the writing style. This museum has a diverse collection of calligraphic works, from lavishly decorated sutras to letters written by emperors, nobles and samurai.

Attributed to Emperor Shomu
Segment of the ‘Sudatta Raises a Monastery’ Section of the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish (Ojomu) Nara Period, 8th Century

Volume 5 of the Myohorenge-kyo (Lotus Sutra) Paper with bird pattern
Heian Period, 11th Century

Shobunrishinge-hon, Daihannyaharamitta-kyo (Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra), Volume 213
Heian Period, 12th Century Gold and silver on dark-blue paper

Taira no Yukimori
Two Waka Poems on the Lotus Sutra Heian Period, 12th Century

Emperor Go-Kashiwabara
Letters Muromachi Period, end of 15th–start of 16th Century

Sen no Rikyu
Entited ‘tadaima no hana’ Letter to Shiba Kenmotsu Muromachi Period, 16th Century

Emperor Goyozei
Image of Kakinomoto no Hitomaro with Inscription Azuchi-Momoyama Period, end of 16th–start of 17th Century

Karasumaru Mitsuhiro
Waka Poem – ‘Snow-capped Mount Fuji’ Edo Period, 17th Century

Empress Meisho
Imperial Letter with Poem Draft Entitled ‘Please’ Edo period, 17th century