Poem by Ikkyu Sojun (1394-1481). Painted in Kanji and Cursive script. Meiji Period, circa 1900; signed by the painter with red seal stamps. Not dated. Box inscription indicates the calligraphy refers to Buddhist scripture and to the Japanese Zen monk Ikkyu’s poetry. Cursive is untranslated. Mounting paper is printed brocade.
This scroll references Ikkyu’s poetry meaning a “song of praise.” “Praise” poems were written about all sorts of subjects. Roughly translated as “A fine tree of many magnificent fruits”. Considering Ikkyu’s resolute relationship between sex and Buddhism, the calligrapher’s title may reference this poem by Ikkyu:
Furyu* of the age, a fair lady; Love songs, delicate feast, melodies exceptionally novel.
Singing a new song, I lost my heart to her lovely face and dimples, As the flowering Haitáng* of the Tianbao time, Mori, you are a sapling in the spring.
(*Furyu: translates as a fair lady and as a flowering Haitáng: Chinese crabapple tree. A symbolfor beautiful women in Chinese poetry.)
The red signature stamps showing two names; common for Japanese scholars: Roughly
translated as MU YUAN and WU WAN JU SHI.
Overall 39 x 19.5”. Image 22 x 14”.
Condition: Some creasing and soiling. There is a small repaired tear that was repaired with washi and the top hanger string is broken from wear. The paste-board outer box is very worn and taped.
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