The ‘Hon’ami-gire’ Fragment of the poem anthology ‘Kokin wakashu’

Data

Artist Attributed to Ono-no-Michikaze
Period Heian period, early 12th century
Materials and techniques Hanging scroll, ink on decorated paper
Size 16.7×15.2

Explanation

This fragment, transcribing poems from Kokin-wakashū, is named after Hon’ami Kōetsu who treasured it. Each kana script, written on the indigo blue Chinese paper with a design of cranes flying in clouds formed in mica flakes, is extremely small compared to other famous works in kana calligraphy of the Heian period. Nonetheless the brushwork is vigorous.

Search Collections