Letter by Konoe Hisamichi
- Person
-
作者近衛尚通
- Date
-
制作年 AD15
- Title
- コノエヒサミチヒツショジョウ
- Collections
- Century Akao Collection
- Depository
- Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko) Campus Mita
Konoe Hisamichi (1472-1544) was a court noble of the latter Muromachi Period. As the 14th-generation heir to Konoe Masaiye (1444-1504), Hisamichi inherited the family name and estate, and was later called Lord Gohojoji. Hisamichi was only 13 when he was appointed Provisional Middle Counselor, and he then was appointed Provisional Major Counselor the following year. In 1490, he was promoted to Minister of the Right, and Regent just three years later. In 1514, he became Chancellor, but retired into the Buddhist priesthood in 1533. He was given the Buddhist name of Daisho. Hisamichi was a noted poet and enjoyed friendships with aristocratic poets such as Sanjonishi Sanetaka and his son Kinyeda, samurai poets like Hosokawa Takakuni and Ohuchi Yoshioki, as well as renga (linked verse) poets like Socho and Soseki. Hisamichi frequently held waka (Japanese poetry of 31 syllables) and renga composition and recital parties at his home. The diary he kept, the Hisamichi Koki (lit. “Lord Hisamichi’s Diary”), presents a vivid account of the literary world of the day. The extant diary in Lord Hisamichi’s authentic hand is now preserved at the Yomei Bunko Library. Hisamichi was also famous for skills in calligraphy. He was influenced by the then fashionable Asukai-style calligraphy, but also was known as the founder of the Hisamichi School. Konoe Nobutada, who was later hailed as one of the Three Master Calligraphers of the Kanyei Era, was Hisamichi’s great-grandson.This extant letter is addressed to rengashi (renga poet) Soboku (?-1545), who was the foremost renga composer and theoretician after Soseki passed away. The letter says, “I was elated to spend such a long time with you last night. You mentioned that I could borrow some renga anthologies. May I borrow them today? I’d like to read five or six books.” This letter suggests an intimate friendship between Hisamichi and the renga master Soboku, whose name also appears in the Hisamichi Koki. For example, during the eight years between 1529 and 1536, it is recorded that Soboku visited Lord Hisamichi’s mansions 104 times. And during those eight years, Soboku did not even live in Kyoto for two years. It’s easy to imagine the deep friendship they enjoyed, especially as both were central figures in literary circles, possibly frequently lending and borrowing poetry books. The somewhat dry and sober effect of the calligraphy suggests that this letter was written when Hisamichi was about 60 years old.
尚々哥書者昨夜者緩々得面五六冊斗ニ而會大悦不少候其砌宜敷候へく候御約諾申置候哥書今日借用申度候不尽正月七日尚通宰相殿まいる尚通
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- Letter by Konoe Hisamichi
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