Calligraphy of a Shi Poem by Li Bo and a Ci Lyric by Su Xiang in Cursive Script

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Nukina Kaioku
Japanese, 1778-1863

Calligraphy of a Shi Poem by Li Bo and a Ci Lyric by Su Xiang in Cursive Script, 1850

Pair of six-panel screens; ink on paper
each 171.5 x 364 cm
Saint Louis Art Museum, Funds given by Mrs. Florence Morris Forbes (181:1987.1-2), Obj: 191662

著名な書家の貫名海屋は、この一双屏風の12扇にわたって、二首の漢詩を大きく草書体で揮毫している。一気に堂々と書かれ、字の終りの運筆は、しばしば次の字の起筆に向け長く伸ばされている。右隻は、著名な唐代の詩人李白(701–762)の詩であり、左隻は、宋代の蘇庠(1065–1147)の叙情詩である。

海屋は、一双の屏風に明瞭な表現のため、詩を慎重に選んでいる。二首は、秋の自然のもつ深遠な美を詠み、文体と形式においても、よく合っている。また、右隻を古い詩とした、右から左への時系列である。

海屋は、中国古典文学と書道を学び、後に1809年京都に出て、私塾を開き朱子学を中心に教えた。この作品は、恐らく、塾生のため授業時に展示されただろう。

Across the twelve panels of this pair of screens, renowned calligrapher Nukina Kaioku has brushed two Chinese poems in dynamic, large-character cursive script. He wrote quickly and confidently, and the last stroke of one character is often elongated to become the beginning of the next. The right screen features a poem by celebrated Tang dynasty poet Li Bo (701–762), and on the left is a lyric by Su Xiang (1065–1147) of the Song dynasty.

Kaioku carefully selected these verses for presentation specifically on a pair of screens. Both speak of the profound beauty of nature during the autumn season, and are compatible in literary style and format. In addition, the earlier poem on the right precedes the later one on the left in chronological order. Kaioku was a student of classical Chinese literature and calligraphy before going on to found his own Confucian academy in Kyoto in 1809 in order to teach philosophy. Perhaps this work was prominently displayed for the benefit of his students during lessons.

This work is on display for the entire exhibition period.