Selections from the New Collection of Japanese Poems from Ancient and Modern Times (Shinkokin wakashū) with Printed Desi

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Selections from the New Collection of Japanese Poems from Ancient and Modern Times (Shinkokin wakashū) with Printed Desi as calligraphy (Japan, Edo period (1615–1868) · early 1600s).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

Before becoming a master painter of screens, Tawaraya Sōtatsu painted fans.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this calligraphy as handscroll; ink, gold, and silver on paper and credits Hon'ami Kōetsu (Japanese, 1558–1637).

The museum's collection notes: Hon’ami Kōetsu was a calligrapher and craftsman who frequently collaborated with the painter Tawaraya Sōtatsu, considered the first master of the Rinpa school. Kōetsu brushed seven poems from the autumn section of a poetry anthology onto dyed paper with motifs designed and printed in gold and silver by Sōtatsu.

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtSelections from the New Collection of Japanese Poems from Ancient and Modern Times (Shinkokin wakashū) with Printed Desi

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