Letter by Princely Priest Son-en
- Person
-
作者尊円入道親王
- Date
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制作年 AD14
- Title
- ソンエンニュウドウシンノウヒツショジョウ
- Collections
- Century Akao Collection
- Depository
- Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko) Campus Mita
- Ref. number
- AW-CEN-002035-0000
- 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 Font Art Monochrome Monochrome photography
Prince Son-en (1298-1356) was the sixth prince of Emperor Fushimi, who was one of the most achieved calligraphers in Japanese history. Born as Prince Takahiko, he entered Shoren-in Temple at age 11, took the Buddhist tonsure at age 14 and was given the name of So-en. Thereafter, he held the highest position of Tendai Temple four times and was the imperial head of Shoren-in Temple three times. Renowned for deep learning both in Japanese and Chinese literature, Prince So-en was a central figure in the history of Japanese calligraphy. He wrote Jubokusho for Emperor Gokogon as a literary guide for the then very young emperor. The wayo calligraphic style developed by Son-en was hailed as the Shoren-in School (also called Son-en School) and cast a tremendous influence on later development and application of calligraphy. The Oiye-ryu School of the Edo Period was a popularized version of the Shoren-in School.The “sanmon,” or the main gate to a temple, mentioned at the beginning of the letter refers to Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei. After the latter Heian Period, Enryakuji had a huge congregation and enough power to influence policy-making of the day. The other temple of comparable magnitude was Kofukuji Temple in Nara, which was often called “Nanto,” or the “Southern Capital.” The imperial court and the military government were constantly involved in the affairs of Enryakuji. The significance of the letter’s text, however, is not very clear, and one finds it difficult to speculate on the background. From the sentence “We are at a loss, worried to death that perhaps the time of downfall has arrived,” one can assume some imminent development at the temple. The name of the addressee is deliberately omitted, and, in the complimentary closing, Prince Son-en writes “Most Respectfully Yours,” showing utmost courtesy. These are enough evidence to suggest that the letter was probably addressed to Retired Emperor Kogon.
山門事先早々被仰下武家候畏入候未申入御返事候哉今度山門沙汰之次第不甘心様躰候其上ハ公家武家の時宜ニ難相叶候歟と存候殊歎存候若滅亡時至候やらんと周章候相構可被廻上計候歟其為祈祷群居輩事外聞猶其恐候似散々儀之条不可然之由宿老致問答候て昨日分散候云々是許之宿老沙汰之次第も返々神妙存候此題目先日密々言上之間落居之間故又申入候可令披露給八月廿日尊円上
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- Letter by Princely Priest Son-en
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Quantity 1幅
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