Object

Letter by Konoe Nobuhiro

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Person
Date
制作年 AD17
Title
コノエノブヒロヒツショジョウ
Collections
Depository
Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko) Campus Mita
Ref. number
AW-CEN-000781-0000
License
CC BY Images license
Creditline

慶應義塾(センチュリー赤尾コレクション)

URL
Classification
Art
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Handwriting Black-and-white Font Rectangle Tints and shades

Early Edo aristocrat Konoe Nobuhiro (1599-1649) was the fourth son of Emperor Goyozei (1571-1617). At age 7, he was adopted by his uncle Nobutada (1565-1614), who was heirless. Nobuhiro’s promotion in the government hierarchy was spectacular. He was only 25 when appointed Regent and Head of Clan. While he was trained in the aristocratic ways of tea by Furuta Oribe (1543-1615), Nobuhiro had a humorous character and a carefree lifestyle. For example, even after he assumed Regency, he frequented the noted Shimabara night entertainment quarters and courted the then famous high-class geisha Yoshino Dayu. (Note: “geisha” is a woman working in sake houses, restaurants, etc., with deep training in singing and dancing and hospitality.) In this way, Nobuhiro was quite a man of the world. Since childhood, he practiced calligraphy under his adoptive father, Nobutada, and later attained such thorough mastery that one can hardly tell apart the works done by these two men. The powerful and dynamic flow of brush strokes, however, is Nobuhiro’s own. He was more than a faithful successor, reaching the highest level of attainment.This letter contains a kyoka (humorous poem) describing a game that Nobuhiro received from a falcon hunter. In the main text of the letter, he apologizes for not thanking properly for the feast sometime earlier. This letter is addressed to “Mr. Counselor” but this person’s identity is not known.

先日ハ御茶過當/\ 不得隙不及一礼赤面/\よそよりも鷹の鳥とてこし路也かりそめなからまいらせうする 宰相殿信尋

Rights

Ref. number
AW-CEN-000781-0000
License
CC BY
Creditline

慶應義塾(センチュリー赤尾コレクション)

Images
license

Depository and ID

Depository
Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko)
Campus Mita
URL
Classification
Art

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OPEN DATADESIGN

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Title (EN)
Letter by Konoe Nobuhiro

Physical description

Weights and quantities
Quantity 1幅

Identifiers

Title (EN)
Letter by Konoe Nobuhiro

Physical description

Weights and quantities
Quantity 1幅