頓阿法師書　三首和歌懐紙|Three Waka Poems

Tonna (Ton’a) 頓阿法師

ca. 1368–69 · Poetry sheet (waka kaishi) mounted as a hanging scroll; ink on paper · Asian Art

This waka kaishi—a sheet recording compositions from a poetry gathering—features three poems by the monk-poet-calligrapher Tonna. He recited these at a 1367 gathering at Nii-Tamatsushima Shrine, in Kyoto, hosted by the shogun Ashikaga Yoshiakira and attended by the day’s most prominent waka poets. Although the characters appear casually arranged, suggesting spontaneity, their plump shapes reflect Tonna’s study of the Sesonji school, established by the master calligrapher Fujiwara no Yukinari (972–1027). The final poem reads: 目にむえぬ 神のあはれむ 道をなを わきてぞまもる 玉津しま姫 The goddess of Tamatsushima maintains a pathway from the heavens so gods can manifest themselves even if invisible to the eye. —Trans. John T. Carpenter

Artist

Tonna (Ton’a) 頓阿法師

Date

ca. 1368–69

Medium

Poetry sheet (waka kaishi) mounted as a hanging scroll; ink on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection, Gift of Mary and Cheney Cowles, 2022