FUJIWARA, Shigetaka 藤原重隆.

Illustrated handscroll on paper, entitled at beginning “Unzushō” 雲図鈔 [“Events Captured Above the Clouds” or “Manual of Court Ceremonies & Protocols”].

31 fine & detailed brush and green- & yellow-wash illus. Scroll (363 x 18,300 mm.), 21 joined sheets, with explanatory text written on both sides, wooden core roller. [Japan]: at end of text on reverse side (in trans.): “Gathered by Fujiwara Tamechika 藤原為親 [d. 1172] in 1160 and Postscript written in mid-Spring 1170 by Fujiwara Chikamasa 藤原親雅 [1145-1210]”; this is a later copy, probably mid-Edo.

The Heian period (794-1185) is considered by many to be the Golden Age of Japan. With the era’s peace and increasing wealth, a flourishing but cloistered court life developed, which was highly complex and increasingly divorced from the lives of the common people. Following Chinese practice, the court aristocracy at the Kyoto Imperial Palace was actively engaged in the pursuit of all aspects of aesthetic refinement, with an extremely dense calendar of seasonal activities and ceremonies. Their state ceremonies and religious rites became exhibitions of elegant costumes and elaborate etiquette. Many of these rituals are still practiced by the imperial court, and elements of the etiquette rules developed during the Heian era are widely visible today.

Our long and splendid scroll is a copy of the original work created by Fujiwara Shigetaka (1076-1118), a high-ranking courtier (tenjobito 殿上人) for Emperor Shirakawa (r. 1072-86) allowed into the audience chamber of the emperor. He later served as chamberlain (kurodo 蔵人) at the court of Emperor Horikawa (r. 1086-1107).

Not only does our scroll provide important information on the complex ceremonies and rituals of the Heian imperial court, the illustrations give us what seems to be nearly unique information on the architectural structure of the many buildings of the original palace grounds, which no longer exist. In the late 12th century, the palace was abandoned, and the emperor moved about 1.7 km east to the grounds of a temporary imperial palace.

Our scroll describes 34 ceremonies and rituals (31 are illustrated) observed by the court throughout the year in different buildings within the Kyoto imperial palace. Many of the illustrations are of considerable complexity and detail, depicting not only the floor plan (with dimensions and showing placement of sliding doors, artworks and screens, seating mats, furniture and ornaments, and decorative and structural elements) but all objects and ornaments as well as the route (shown in red) for participants to follow and seating arrangements for all those present. The beginning of the scroll lists, in a sort of table-of-contents form, the names of each of the events. January has eight (or nine), February four, March six, etc. There are none in August.

The scroll consists of 21 joined sheets. To give an idea of the remarkable riches of this scroll, we will describe in detail the first illustration (one of the least complex), which depicts the ritual taking place on the first of January in the East Courtyard (Seiryōden 清涼殿) of the emperor’s daily residence. In this ritual (Shihōhai 四方拝), the emperor performs the “worship in the four directions,” during which he prays for the nation’s safety, the people’s well-being, protection from calamities, and abundant harvests. We see the greater floor plan and, within a small area surrounded by screens, the site of the prayer ritual. All the components — incense, flower arrangements, and small, elaborately decorated seating mats for the emperor — are shown. The explanatory manuscript text surrounds the illustration, describing each step of the ritual, with further text on the verso of the sheet. We learn that before the event, the emperor takes a ritual bath. There are descriptions of his attire (including decorative accessories) as well as that of other participants. In case of rain, the ceremony will take place in the archery practice building.

This is followed by 33 more events, all but three illustrated. During the second event, Mikusuri o kūzu 供御薬, which takes place on the third of January, the emperor is given an ancient and highly sacred medicinal offering by court physicians. One of the events in July is Sumai no sechi 相撲節, an exhibition match for sumo wrestlers from around the nation. For each event, there is further explanatory text on the verso of the scroll.

Here is a list of all the events:

January: Shihōhai 四方拝, Mikusuri o kūzu 供御薬, Kochōhai 小朝拝, Joi 叙位, Onna joi 女叙位, Gosaie no uchirongi 御斎会内論議, Noriyumi 賭弓, & Jomoku 除目.

February: Kasuga sai 春日祭, Kinnen Hōhei gohai 近年報奉幣御拝, Kinomi dokyō 季御読経, & Ninnō’e 仁王会.

March: San gatsu mikka go tō 三月三日御燈, Iwa shimizu rinji sai shigaku 石清水臨時祭試楽, Saijitsu gokei no gi 祭日御禊儀, Niwaza 庭座, Mai no gi 舞儀, & Kaeridachi no okagura 環立御神楽.

April: Hirano no Matsuri 平野祭 & Kanbutsu 灌仏.

May: Go gatsu itsuka shoshi shōbu o sonauru 五月五日書司供菖蒲 & Saishōkō 最勝講

June: Roku gatsu tsugomori yo’ori onshō 六月晦日節折御装束.

July: Tanabata kikkō ten 七月七日乞巧奠, On butsuji 御梵事, (Sumai?) goto uchidori (相撲?)事内取, & Sumai no sechi 相撲節.

September: Reihei 例幣.

October: Yumi (?) 弓.

November: Gosechi 五節, Gozen jiai 御前試事, Warawa goran 童御覧, & Kōgōgū judai no toki 皇后宮入内之時.

December: Obutsumyō 御仏名, Naishi dokoro mikagura 内侍所御神楽, & Tsuina 追儺.

A glossary of terms is provided with detailed explanations.

In fine condition. Minor marginal worming.

Price: $12,500.00

Item ID: 11452