Calligraphic Talisman of Tenjin (Heavenly God)’s Name by Princely Priest Son-en
- Person
-
作者尊円入道親王
- Date
-
制作年 AD14
- Title
- ソンエンニュウドウシンノウヒツテンジンミョウゴウ
- Collections
- Century Akao Collection
- Depository
- Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko) Campus Mita
- Ref. number
- AW-CEN-000254-0000
- 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
- AI Tagging
- Handwriting Art Wood Font Creative arts
Born as the fifth son of Emperor Fushimi (1265-1317), Prince Son-en (first name was Takahiko, 1298-1356) was sent to the Shoren-In Temple on April 21, 1308, at age 11. He was educated by Princely Priest Jido (1282-1341) and five years later took the tonsure on June 26, 1311, thereby adopting the Buddhist name of Son-en. In the history of calligraphy in Japan, Emperor Fushimi was adored as one of the most highly accomplished. Inheriting this talent, Prince Son-en’s brilliance was apparent at a young age; he was attracted to the styles developed by Ono-no-Michikaze (894-966) and Fujiwara-no-Yukinari (972-1027). Later, the prince would develop his own style, to be called the Son-en School or Shoren-In style and attract hundreds of followers. Also, all succeeding generations of Shoren-In head priests adhered to this style, so it remained popular for many centuries afterward. During the Edo Period, the Son-en style was adopted by terakoya schools (for commoners’ children), further securing its renown among later calligraphers. This is the Prince Son-en's rendition of the Sacred Name. Although this piece is not signed, the brushwork is attributable to the prince without any doubt. The sacred name depicts a deified ancient statesman and poet, Sugawara-no-Michizane (845-903), once the Minister of the Right during the mid-Heian Period. Michizane was falsely accused and banished to Kyushu where he died in disgrace. Later, the people of Kyoto feared that his tormented soul would return to the capital as an evil spirit and commit ill acts upon them. The Imperial Court decided to deify Michizane to appease his spirit. Shrines were erected in Michizane’s honor, mainly in Kitano, Kyoto. Worshipping at Michizane’s shrine became popular, especially during the Kamakura Period (13th c.), and worshippers created picture scrolls depicting Michizane’s life or images/paintings to dedicate to the shrine.The exhibited sacred name was made as an offering to the shrine where it could be suspended high for the worshippers, a custom that began in the 15th century. In those days, waka and renga poetry parties were often held to dedicate literary compositions to the deified Michizane. Similar literary parties were held at mansions of court nobles. The guests would enter the hall and pay respect to the sacred name hoisted high above them.
離家三四月落涙百千行南無天満大自在天神
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- Title (EN)
- Calligraphic Talisman of Tenjin (Heavenly God)’s Name by Princely Priest Son-en
Physical description
- Weights and quantities
-
Quantity 1幅
- Attachments
- 桐箱 書付二
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