The "Manyoshu" is the oldest existing collection of Japanese poetry and is believed to have been compiled in the late Nara period (710 - 794). The compiler, or the last in a series of compilers, is today widely believed to be Ootomo no Yakamochi.
It consists of 20 volumes and contains approximately 4,500 poems. The authors range from emperors and aristocrats to lower-ranked officials, soldiers, and farmers, and the poems depict various regions of Japan from Tohoku to Kyushu. In addition to the works of famous poets, Manyoshu also contains numerous songs by common people, making it a valuable historical document for understanding life at the time, including the wide-ranging customs and dialects of the era.
The Manyoshu is divided into three categories: zoka, somon, and banka. Zoka refers to miscellaneous songs about court ceremonies, travel, and nature. Somon mainly describes love affairs between men and women and accounts for about 40% of the total poems. Banka are songs that mourn the death of person.
As time passed, waka (Japanese poetry) became more decorative and skillful, but Manyoshu's appeal lies in its vivid expressions that straightly capture the voices of people from that time.
In my calligraphy works, I often incorporate waka. As a calligrapher, my goal is for people who do not understand kanji or Japanese to appreciate the beauty and enjoyment of calligraphy. At the same time, I hope people can experience surprise, humor, and new discoveries. This work is part of the "Between 0 and 1" series, and the theme is “love".
The calligraphy (the vertical text) here is from famous somon (love) poems from Manyoshu that were exchanged by a prince and a princess.
Poem:
あかねさす紫野行き標野行き野守は見ずや君が袖振る (額田王)
"Akanesasu murasakino yuki shimeno yuki nomoriwa mizuya kimiga sodefuru"
Meaning:
Going over the purple fields of imperial property
I wonder if the guardians will not see you waving your sleeves at me (waving Kimono sleeves was a secret code between lovers)
- Poem by Princess Nukata (dates unknown, possibly fl. 630–690), a Japanese poet of the Asuka period.
Ode in reply:
紫のにほへる妹を憎くあらば人妻故に我れ恋ひめやも (大海人皇子)
"Murasakino nioeruimowo nikukuaraba hitozumayueni ware koimeyamo"
Meaning:
Like purple flowers you are brilliantly beautiful. But you belong to another, how can I be longing for you like this?
Poem by Emperor Tenmu (631 – 686) , 40th emperor of Japan. This poem was made when he was called Prince Ōama.
You can see and collect some of my calligraphies on Artsper.
Thank you!
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