The World of Calligraphy – Highlighting Works of Emperors

Calligraphy personally written by an emperor is called shinkan, or shinpitsu. A distinctive style of writing known as shinkan-yo became established at the end of the Kamakura period or during the Nanbokucho period. It was established by emperors who were calligraphers of exceptional talent. The leaders of the Takamatsu Matsudaira family often attended imperial court ceremonies on behalf of the shogun. The family still owns shinkan that date from the Nanbokucho period up to the Edo period, including the one that tells us about an interaction between Yorishige, the first head of the family, and Emperor Gomizunoo, and nine others by Edo-period emperors. Please immerse yourself in the genuinely magnificent and unique world of shinkan.