Prince Teishin

Another member of the famous Fujiwara clan will close out this year's set. The roll call of all one hundred poets reads like a Fujiwara family 'who's who', but perhaps this is not surprising when one considers their total dominance of Japanese political and court life during the time covered by the Hyaku-nin Isshu. (It may also have something to do with the fact that the compiler of the collection was Fujiwara no Sadaie). This month's poet, Fujiwara no Tadahira, lived in the early 10th century, and is now usually referred to by his posthumous name, Prince Teishin.

I particularly enjoyed carving the poem this time. The brush strokes are especially fluid, and as one's eye follows the path of the brush down the sheet and is drawn from side to side and back and forth, the effect is almost hypnotizing. I find calligraphy such as this very attractive, and it is hard for me now to recall the days when I thought of writing like this as simply 'chicken scratches' on the page. I myself have absolutely no skill with a brush, but am looking forward to the day when my life has settled down enough that I can devote the time necessary to acquire some competence. For now, I will apply myself to the art of using my 'steel brush', and try to absorb what I can of Shunsho's teachings. I think you'll agree, I couldn't find a better model!

December 1991