Kenkō Yoshida
Nanboku-chō period (14th century)
Acquired in 2015 (donated by Norio Homma)
Kenkō Yoshida (1282–1350) was a poet and essayist who lived during the late Kamakura period (1185–1333) and Nanboku-chō period (1392–1333), and is known as the author of Tsurezuregusa (Essays in Idleness), considered one of Japan’s Three Great Writings.
This particular piece of penmanship, written against the backdrop of the unrest of the Nanboku-chō Wars, has a secretive undertone. It writes: “There is someone whose purpose should be inquired after, will you come? In any case, please ask like the wind. Today or tomorrow would be especially desirable.” The name Kasuga-dono (Lord Kasuga) is thought to refer to Akinobu Kitabatake (Left General Kasuga, –1380), a court noble and important supporter of the Southern Court against Takauji Ashikaga of the Northern Court. It provides a glimpse into Kenkō’s secret communication with Akinobu.