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Illustrated Legends of the Kitano Tenjin Shrine (Kitano Tenjin engi emaki)
This set of scrolls from the Kamakura period (1185-1333 CE) depict the story of famous poet and statesman Sugawara Michizane (845-903). According to the story, Michizane died in exile, but disasters plagued those whose accusations caused his exile. To appease his spirit, they posthumously pardoned him, and later deified him as Tenjin, god of agriculture and the falsely accused. Poems were offered at his shrine, which led to a new status as god of literature and music. There are over 30 sets of scrolls chronicling Michizane's story; this set of five scrolls is kept by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/25.224/) The story of Michizane is a prime example of the interconnected nature of politics and poetry in early Japanese culture. Michizane was exiled for political reasons, yet is remembered for his poetry and was deified as a god of literature. His additional status of god of music may be an indication of the connection between poetry and song in early Japan. |
Snow (Yuki)
This hanging scroll from the Nanbokucho period (1336-92) was inscribed by Muso Soseki, a Zen priest and calligrapher. He trained under a Chinese master, and that Chinese influence is reflected in his style. The poem reads: From heaven fall icy petals; In the sky not a spot of blue remains. A dusting of jade covers the ground And buries the blue mountains. The sun rises over the mountain peak. The chill pierces my bones. Silence prevails. (Trans. Edwin Cranston) This scroll is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/60467). |
Orchids and Rock
This brush painting by Gyokuen Bonpo from the Muromachi period (1392–1573) depicts orchids of two kinds growing from behind a rock, accompanied by the poem: Bedecked in garlands, the dancing pair Combines their rival fragrance. One must sip their precious dew. Who can make anew these deep-red tassels? I dashed off this poem and painting for the Honorable Cai. (Trans. Barbara Brennan Ford) The orchids and rocks in this painting would have been a well-known reference to Bonpo's Japanese contemporaries, symbolic of "the scholar’s purity of heart, loyalty, and integrity" (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/44857). This poem demonstrates how Japanese poetry often utilizes well-established literary imagery to evoke a particular feeling in a very brief poetic form. This scroll is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
Manuscript Version of the “Travel” Section of the Linked Verse (Renga) Collection “Aged Leaves” (Wakuraba)
This scroll is a section of a poetry anthology compiled by Sogi (1421-1502). This copy was done by calligrapher Ryukyo in 1533. The anthology features renga, a type of poetry originating from tanka and often translated as "linked verse." The finished poem follows the syllable pattern of tanka (5-7-5-7-7), but the first three lines are written by one poet and the final couplet by a different poet. The evolution of tanka into renga highlights the importance of poetry in social interactions. This scroll is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/671054). |
Waka and Other Compositions
This item is a phonograph record from 1960. There are 12 tracks of music, composed by Michiko Toyama, based on traditional Japanese themes and poetry. It is held by the Smithsonian Insitution (https://www.si.edu/object/siris_arc_232945). This recording is an example of the enduring influence of early Japanese poetry in modern Japanese culture. It is also another example of the deep connection between waka (poetry) and uta (songs). |