Written in the hand of Emperor Go-Yōzei
Momoyama period (16th–17th centuries)
Donated by the Homma family
Emperor Go-Yōzei (1571–1617), the grandson of Emperor Ōgimachi, was the 107th emperor of Japan. He devoted himself to restoring the authority of the imperial household and the nobility, which had been negatively affected by war. Conducting research into ancient matters, he spearheaded the restoration of ceremonies and rites and encouraged the continuance of Sino-Japanese arts and sciences. This helped build what would become the foundation of the flourishing Kan’ei culture, which would take hold in the following generation.
The main text features the two characters, “伊勢“ (“Ise”), written out in dignified brush strokes, allowing us to perceive something of the temperament of Emperor Go-Yōzei.