Manuscripts from Tokugawa Art Museum

While in Japan I was also able to visit the Tokugawa Art Museum, where a number of manuscripts were exhibited, here are two which are examples of kana art and paper decoration

This is a fragment known as Rokujō-gire is from the poetry anthology Hachidai–wakashō and it traditionally attributed to Emperor Kōgon from the 14th century.

The indigo swirling pattern on the paper was likely done as part of the paper-making process.

This is a fragment from Murasakishikabu-shū, the poetry anthology of Murasaki Shikabu, who was the author of Genji monogatari. The calligraphy is traditionally attributed to Fujiwara no Teika, being created during the 13th century.

The paper is decorated with cherry blossoms in a gold or mica paint, possibly done with the assistance of a stencil but also could have been done freehand.