REKIHAKU

No.132 A Witness to History

The Power of Poetry - Japanese Poetry through the Ages
An exhibition mounted in partnership with
the National Institutes for the Humanities

This year is a memorable year in the history of Japanese literature, for it marks 1100 years since the compilation of the "Kokin Waka Shu" and 800 years since the compilation of the "Shin Kokin Waka Shu" To mark this milestone, the Association of Waka Poetry Studies has been promoting exhibitions of items related to waka (literally, "Japanese poetry") centered on the "Kokin Waka Shu" and "Shin Kokin Waka Shu" held in the collections of museums and art galleries around Japan. The National Museum of Japanese History (Rekihaku) has in its collection a large number of items related to waka that were previously in the collection of "Manuscript Books of the Takamatsu House of the Imperial Family."
However, in the past there has been little occasion to exhibit these items for public viewing, with the result that, with the exception of some research experts, few know about these items. We at Rekihaku have agreed to a request from the Association of Waka Poetry Studies to hold an exhibition titled "The Power of Poetry - Japanese Poetry through the Ages," which we view as an excellent opportunity to attract a wider audience for these waka related items.

Having become a member of the National Institutes for the Humanities in the 2004 fiscal year, Rekihaku has formed a close relationship with another member, the National Institute of Japanese Literature, and together we have decided to mount joint exhibitions under the same theme of "The Power of Poetry." Nonetheless, the items in the two exhibitions are different, for the reason that each exhibition maximizes the special features of each organization.

Kokin Waka Shu Book of Fujiwara no Shunzei	Poem written by Fujiwara no Yoshitsune (also known by the title "Gokyogoku Sessho")

The beginning of the 10th century, the time when the Kokin Waka Shu was compiled, was a time when signs of the demise of the ancient state first appeared, prompting the urgent political task of rebuilding the state. The preface of the Kokin Waka Shu, a product of its time, tells of the essence and effect of waka, which possess the "power" to move gods on heaven and earth and to have an influence on the paths taken by spirits and men. Consequently, it is quite evident that this anthology of waka was compiled not merely with a cultural objective in mind.
As this insight shows, waka have various "powers." Although their literary "power" goes without saying, it is impossible to ignore the effects of the political "power" and economic "power" of waka. The aim of Rekihaku's exhibition is to examine the various "powers" that waka have from a historical perspective. An outline of the exhibition is provided below.

Portrait of Kakinomoto no Hitomaro

The preface of the "Kokin Waka Shu" relates how waka came into being at the time of the beginning of heaven and earth, and that they became widespread during the Nara period. Indeed, the collection of poems known as the "Man'yoshu" was compiled during the Nara period, and waka played a central role in the culture of the time. At that time, efforts were being taken to absorb Chinese culture and China's political and legal systems in an attempt to create a state in the Japanese archipelago modeled on ancient Chinese states. As part of this, the writing of Chinese poems became popular in the aristocratic world, resulting in the compilation of the Kaifuso and other collections of Chinese poetry. The enthusiastic absorption of Chinese culture in this way continued up to the beginning of the Heian period, that is, the second half of the 9th century, so that on the cultural side the zenith of Chinese poetry continued. During this time, waka continued to lead a somewhat furtive existence as part of everyday life.

However, as soon as the Tang Dynasty showed signs of weakening, the attraction that Chinese culture held for the Japanese also began to wane. Gradually, the culture of Japanese kana syllabary came to have more power, and for the first time since the creation of heaven and earth the traditions and powers of waka came to the fore. The "Kokin Waka Shu" came about under these circumstances, though the waka in the collection were strongly influenced by the Chinese culture of the previous period, with one feature of the collection being the common use of themes found in Chinese poetry.

Shin Kokin Waka Shu	"Collection of Japanese and Chinese Poems" by Emperor Fushimi

Beginning with the "Kokin Waka Shu", there were 21 anthologies compiled by Imperial demand up to the middle of the 15th Century. This illustrates the important role that waka played in the aristocratic world. But the world of waka was not one that had no significance outside the cultural salons of the imperial court. At any rate, the political role of waka became evident along with the huge changes accompanying the operation of politics from the period of Insei government that began in the late Heian period.

During the period of Insei rule, the various occupations in the imperial palace were assumed by families on a hereditary basis, whereby the political system of the day saw various families take responsibility for different occupations. Waka was not exempt from this trend, and so-called "kado-ke" (poetry families) like the Mikohidari-ke, that included Fujiwara no Shunzei and Fujiwara no Teika, came into being. These families passed on the methods and skills of writing waka from one generation to the next, also taking part in state affairs, which in those days took the form of state rituals. As stated in the preface to the "Shin Kokin Waka Shu", poetry had been given the political role of "ruling society and bringing peace to the people." In this exhibition, we have taken the "power" of waka in this context, showing that it was a quality that had to be acquired by emperors, along with Chinese poetry and music, from the medieval period through to the early modern period. Our aim is to consider the aspects that were attributed varying levels of importance along with the changing times, and the significance of these variations.

Waka were not the exclusive property of the world of the imperial palace. Rather, waka became established in wider circles that included warriors, priests and the rural elite living in the nation's political center, or bakufu, as well as more distant regions. Through the personal networks that were formed around waka, waka also played a role in establishing political and economic relationships between central government and the regions. The exhibition also presents such a broad perspective on the role of waka.

Poems written by Emperor Gosai on the four seasons - flowers, birds, wind and moon	Hachinoki Moyo Furisode (Long-sleeved kimono depicting poem and scene from Noh song "Hachinoki")

Rekihaku has in its collection the " Manuscript Books of the Takamatsu House of the Imperial Family," and this collection is currently the subject of collaborative research by researchers belonging to both Rekihaku and other institutions. There is even a term in the Japanese language for the book collection of the imperial family, with part of this collection having been inherited by the family of Prince Takamatsu. Many items related to waka are to be found in this collection. Although the book collection of the imperial family suffered substantial damage during the wars that raged at the end of the medieval period, the two emperors Gosai and Reigen, who came long after Emperor Goyozei at the beginning of the Edo period, set about reconstructing the collection, leading to the copying and collecting of documents on a large scale. It is considered that besides fulfilling the objective of restoring the imperial book collection, this act was also related to a movement for reviving imperial court rituals that had been discontinued during the medieval period. Uncovering the character of the " Printed Books of the Takamatsu House of the Imperial Family," including this aspect, is one goal of this collaborative research. We are pleased to be able to exhibit part of this research.

In the centuries that followed, the Kokin Waka Shu, Shin Kokin Waka Shu and other waka had an influence on a wide variety of genres. Themes from waka were commonly incorporated into art and dress, giving rise to some exquisite items. These also give us an insight into the " powers" of waka. Arts and crafts items on display, including some that are designated as Important Cultural Properties, are on loan from museums such as the Tokyo National Museum and the Kyoto National Museum. As for items of dress, those on display have been carefully selected from the collection of the wardrobe of Shojiro Nomura, which is held at the museum.

Waka have exhibited " powers" over various eras, among various social classes and across diverse sectors. We invite visitors to the exhibition to feel the diversity of the " powers" of waka.

Masayuki Yoshioka (Ancient Japanese History, Research Department)