Treasures List of National Treasures of Japan (writings: others)

1 treasures

1.1 buddhist writings

1.1.1 sutras
1.1.2 treatises, commentaries


1.2 zen monk writings, bokuseki
1.3 kaishi or futokorogami
1.4 albums of exemplary calligraphy, tekagami
1.5 ancient calligraphy, kohitsu
1.6 others

treasures
buddhist writings
sutras

the concept of writing came japan korean kingdom of baekje in form of classical chinese books , sutras, written on paper , in form of manuscript rolls (kansubon). happened @ beginning of 5th century (around 400), , in conjunction introduction of buddhism in 6th century. increasing popularity of buddhism, promoted prince shōtoku (574–622), in late-6th century , early-7th century 1 of factors leading rise in importance of writing. buddhism required study of sutras in chinese. satisfy growing demand them, imported sui , tang manuscripts copied, first korean , chinese immigrants, , later in mid-7th century japanese scribes. sangyō gisho ( annotated commentaries on 3 sutras ), traditionally attributed prince shōtoku, oldest extant japanese text of length. 673 entire buddhist canon had been systematically copied. not single sutra survives before end of 6th century. oldest extant complete sutra copied in japan dates 686 , has been designated national treasure. during 7th , 8th centuries, copying of buddhist texts, including sutras, dominated writing. few chinese secular or local japanese works (which rare) copied. state founded sutra copying bureau (shakyōjo) before 727 highly specialized calligraphers, proofreaders , metal polishers satisfy large demand buddhist texts. sutra copying not duplication acquire religious merit; buddhist texts hand-copied during 8th century despite knowledge of printing.

the peak of sutra copying occurred in nara period @ time great perfection of wisdom (daihannya) sutra , lotus sutra sutras copied. of sutras written in black ink on paper dyed pale yellow. however, made gold or silver ink on indigo, purple or other colored paper—particularly ones produced in 741 when emperor shōmu decreed konkōmyō saishōō sutras written in gold letters distributed among provincial temples. many sutra copies contain colophon name of sponsor—often ruling class—and reason of copying, related health or salvation of people or state.

after shakyōjo closed @ end of 8th century, imperial family , leading aristocrats continued sponsor sutra copying. because of enhanced belief in powers of lotus sutra, more heian period copies of sutra exist of other sutras combined. starting in heian period, styles became flowery , ornate lavish decorations sutras not used in recitation dedication , sacrifice. devotional sutra copying more undertaken initiator in nara period. new forms of decoration came in fashion early-11th century including placing each character in outline of stupa, on lotus pedestals or next depictions of boddhisattvas. sutras increasingly furnished frontispieces starting in 11th century. calligraphy shifted chinese japanese style. sutra copying continued kamakura , subsequent periods, comparable artistic effect. import of printed song editions in kamakura period, hand-copying of complete scriptures died out , sutra copying practiced devotional aspect. forty-six sutras or sets of sutras 6th century western wei 14th century nanboku-chō period have been designated national treasures. of oldest items in list originated in china.

treatises, commentaries

nara period buddhism dominated 6 state-controlled sects. introduced mainland , centred around ancient capitals in asuka , nara. these schools academic in nature, closely connected court , represented doctrine far removed daily life of people. in 804, 2 japanese monks kūkai , saichō travelled china; on return established tendai , shingon buddhism respectively. unlike predecessors both esoteric schools took account needs of common people. though origins lay in china, time acquired local japanese traits. 9th century time when chinese learning thrived in japan. authors produced wide variety of works in chinese language, including commentaries , treatises on variety of subjects.

a number of new sects appeared in japan in 12th , 13th centuries natural reaction difficult teachings of older schools , partially motivated notion of mappō. growing out of amida cult, jōdo shinshū pure land school founded in 1224 shinran, , attracted following classes , occupations. 3 years later, dōgen introduced sōtō school of zen buddhism emphasizing meditation , dharma practice. first japanese school of buddhism goes nichiren s proclamation of teachings in 1253. nichiren buddhism exceptional being militant , intolerant. central focus of nichiren s teaching veneration of lotus sutra.

fourteen treatises , commentaries of famous japanese monks dating heian kamakura period have been designated national treasures. these include 3 commentaries kūkai on 2 of main mantras (dainichikyō , kongōhannyakyō) of shingon buddhism, works shinran discussing pure land buddhism, mappō , amida, manual on zazen seated meditation dōgen , 2 works nichiren related teachings. in addition 2 large scale collection of documents nara meiji period listed here national treasures.

zen monk writings, bokuseki

bokuseki type of japanese calligraphy practiced zen monks or lay practitioners of zen meditation. characterised freely written bold characters, style ignores criteria , classical standards calligraphy. brush moved continuously across paper creating richly variated lines. unlike other calligraphy, bokuseki considered religious art —a manifestation of artist s understanding of dharma. in sense, literal meaning of word bokuseki , translated ink trace , indicates piece considered trace of enlightened mind.

the bokuseki style developed song dynasty calligraphy. brought china japan, zen buddhism, starting eisai in 1191. late-12th century works imported china highly regarded in japan; subsequently japanese priests began producing own bokuseki in 13th , 14th centuries. later bokuseki became part of zen practice , served meditation help. mounted on hanging scrolls, , displayed in temples , tea rooms. master of japanese tea ceremony sen no rikyū considered them crucial tea ceremony in sense put participants in right frame-of-mind. bokuseki gained in importance through chanoyu in muromachi , momoyama periods. daitō kokushi , musō soseki, both rinzai school of zen buddhism, famous bokuseki masters of time.

the bokuseki style present in variety of zen genres such buddhist sermons or dharma talks (hōgo), certificates of enlightenment (inkajō), death verses (yuige), gatha verses (geju), poetry (shi), letters, names , titles given monk master (jigo), exhortory sermons (shidōgo), gakuji, inscriptions on zen paintings (san) , zen circles. there 23 bokuseki national treasures of various types including inkajō, hōgo, letters , yuige. date 12th 14th centuries , have been mounted on hanging scrolls.

kaishi or futokorogami

kaishi, or futokorogami, sheets of paper carried high-ranking people folded in kimonos @ breast. used writing letters, or waka; similar sheets employed during tea ceremony. papers came in variety of sizes , colours, depending on rank , sex of using them. @ court men wrote on white paper, while women wrote on red kaishi paper. paper format standardized sizes ranging 28 cm × 36 cm (11 in × 14 in) 36 cm × 56 cm (14 in × 22 in). folding style, labelling, , other stylistic features, differed school school. 4 items heian , kamakura periods have been designated national treasures in kaishi category. single sheets or sets of sheets mounted on hanging scrolls or bound in album , contain poetry japanese rulers , famous poets.

albums of exemplary calligraphy, tekagami

collections of exemplary calligraphy, or tekagami (lit. mirror of hands ), created cutting pages , sections of old books , scrolls of sutras, poems , letters, arranged in albums in chronological order or according social status. early-16th century, calligraphic connoisseurs of kohitsu house had practiced activities aimed @ preserving ancient calligraphic works. tekagami production appears have started in momoyama period. these albums served model books calligraphy practice, emulation of old styles, , reference works authentication in growing antique market. today, selection of calligraphers, , type of calligraphies in tekagami, show changing tastes in classical japanese-style calligraphy on years. 4 tekagami containing works 8th century nara 15th century muromachi period have been designated national treasures.

ancient calligraphy, kohitsu

in japanese calligraphy term kohitsu (古筆) referred works ancient calligraphers, or poets, on scrolls or bound books, created between 8th 15th centuries. in today s use, term describes copies of poetry anthologies heian mid-kamakura period. since made artful daily items nobility, in addition having beautiful script, attention given choice of paper (which decorated), binding, mountings , accompanying boxes. stylistically, kohitsu written in japanese kana in cursive script (sōgana). in momoyama , edo period, surviving kohitsu cut (kohitsu-gire), mounted on hanging scrolls , displayed in tea room. 5 scrolls of kohitsu poetry collections mid-heian period have been designated national treasures. made 2 calligraphers: fujiwara no yukinari , ono no michikaze.

others

there 3 national treasures writings not fit in of above categories, originating in china. 2 7th century works: copy of thousand character classic zhi yong both in formal , cursive scripts, , tracing copy of letter famous chinese calligrapher wang xizhi. former work said have been imported japan legendary scholar wani in ancient times. 1 13th-century set of large-scale letters (2 or 3 each) displayed on walls or above doorways.

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