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Three Waka Poems

Monk Tonna (Ton’a) Japanese
ca. 1368–69
Not on view
This waka kaishi—a sheet recording compositions from a poetry gathering—features three poems by the monk-poet-calligrapher Tonna. He recited these at a 1367 gathering at Nii-Tamatsushima Shrine, in Kyoto, hosted by the shogun Ashikaga Yoshiakira and attended by the day’s most prominent waka poets. Although the characters appear casually arranged, suggesting spontaneity, their plump shapes reflect Tonna’s study of the Sesonji school, established by the master calligrapher Fujiwara no Yukinari (972–1027). The final poem reads:

目にむえぬ　神のあはれむ　道をなを
わきてぞまもる　玉津しま姫

The goddess of Tamatsushima
maintains a pathway
from the heavens
so gods can manifest themselves
even if invisible to the eye.

—Trans. John T. Carpenter

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 頓阿法師筆　三首和歌懐紙
  • Title: Three Waka Poems
  • Artist: Monk Tonna (Ton’a) (Japanese, 1289–1372)
  • Period: Nanbokuchō (1336–92) period
  • Date: ca. 1368–69
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Poetry sheet (waka kaishi) mounted as a hanging scroll; ink on paper
  • Dimensions: Image: 11 3/4 × 18 1/8 in. (29.8 × 46 cm)
    Overall with mounting: 46 1/8 × 22 15/16 in. (117.2 × 58.3 cm)
  • Classification: Calligraphy
  • Credit Line: Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection, Gift of Mary and Cheney Cowles, 2022
  • Object Number: 2022.432.5
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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