Volume 1 of "Collection of Japanese Poems Ancient and Modern" (Gen’ei-Era Version)

The Collection of Japanese Poems Ancient and Modern was compiled during the Heian period. It is the earliest example of Japanese poetry anthologies commissioned by emperors. Only transcripts of the original have survived to the present day. This extremely valuable work is the oldest extant copy and it was passed down in more-or-less its original form. It comprises two books bound together with string. It is named the “Gen'ei era version” after an inscription at the end of the first book, which dates the work to the 24th day of the 7th month of Gen'ei 3, or 1120 in the Western calendar. The Gen'ei-era version is characterized by its resplendent paper. Each double-page spread alternates between paper with printed patterns and paper decorated with small pieces of cut gold and silver foil. The patterns are also richly varied, while the writing style and positioning changes artfully over each double-page spread. The writer is thought to be Fujiwara no Sadazane, great-grandson of the renowned calligrapher Fujiwara no Kozei. The Japanese kana script was established at the start of the Heian period.

As kana calligraphy became more refined and beautiful during the late Heian period, writing paper also becoming more lavish, as this epitome of Japan's elegant court culture shows. Japanese nobles and members of the imperial family considered poetry an essential part of their lives. They competed in poetry contests, wrote poetry books, and exchanged romantic poems with their lovers. In the 900s, Emperor Daigo ordered the creation of [Collection of Japanese Poems Ancient and Modern], the first imperial poetry anthology. The original version no longer exists, but the oldest complete copy is preserved at the Tokyo National Museum. The first volume is displayed here. Scholars believe that the poetry was transcribed by the nobleman and master calligrapher Fujiwara no Sadazane (before 1077–after 1119). His flowing script harmonizes with the decorated paper, which is coated with seashell pigment and embellished with patterns in glossy mica powder. The exceptional quality of this copy suggests that it was a luxury gift from one noble to another.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.