Poems from the Collection of Lady Ise - Fujiwara no Sadanobu

A fine art print of an Ishiyama-gire fragment, featuring elegant Japanese kana calligraphy on decorative paper with gold and silver accents.

This piece is a fragment from the Nishi-Honganji Anthology of Thirty-Six Poets, widely known as the Ishiyama-gire. Attributed to the courtier and calligrapher Fujiwara no Sadanobu, this work represents the height of Heian period aesthetic refinement. The manuscript features the poetry of Lady Ise, a celebrated female poet of the tenth century, transcribed in the elegant kana script.

The physical composition of the paper is as significant as the text itself. It incorporates complex decorative techniques, including the application of gold and silver leaf, alongside mica and mineral pigments. The paper is assembled from multiple sheets, joined to create a surface that interacts with the ink. The calligraphy displays a fluid, rhythmic quality, characteristic of the style favoured by the imperial court. The characters flow vertically, creating a visual harmony that mirrors the cadence of the waka poetry.

The Ishiyama-gire fragments are prized for their technical sophistication and their preservation of early Japanese literary culture. The contrast between the muted, speckled grey-green ground and the deep, saturated red section creates a balanced visual tension. The inclusion of subtle, stencilled floral motifs across the paper surface adds a layer of texture that does not distract from the primary text. This print captures the delicate interplay between the written word and the decorative arts of the twelfth century. It is a study in the balance of negative space and the controlled application of ink, reflecting the sensibilities of an era that prioritised poetic expression and material beauty. The work remains a primary reference for the study of Japanese manuscript culture and the development of kana calligraphy.