Object

Letter by Konoe Nobuhiro

Keio Object Hub
Person
Date
制作年 AD17
Title
コノエノブタダヒツショウソク
Collections
Depository
Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko) Campus Mita
Ref. number
AW-CEN-002499-0000
License
CC BY Images license
Creditline

慶應義塾(センチュリー赤尾コレクション)

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Classification
Art
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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 takes the form of a kyoka, a humorous poem. Nobuhiro writes that he has received the dried and salted gourd and invites the recipient to come and share this delicacy. The letter is addressed to Gyokushitsu Soban (1601-69), the 185th bishop of Daitokuji Temple.

一すちももたてこのころ ほしうりをほしひまゝにも こり/\とくふ ちと御出候へく候 十二日 はん長老

Rights

Ref. number
AW-CEN-002499-0000
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