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Letter of Invitation

after 1615
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 228
This letter serves as an invitation to five individuals—Sōrin, Sōkei and his son, and Sōshin and his son—whose identities remain uncertain, though plausible conjectures can be made. Hon’ami Kōetsu writes that, despite the distractions of the festival (most likely the Gion Festival), he would value their company, as the lotuses are in splendid bloom. The pond Kōetsu mentions in connection with the lilies may be Hakuba Ike, near the residence he took up at Takagamine in Kyoto in 1615; if so, the letter was likely written after that date.

Kōetsu worked across diverse genres, including calligraphy, painting, and the decorative arts. Much of his personal correspondence revolves around social exchanges, such as accepting or declining invitations to tea gatherings. His brushwork conveys an effortless richness and expressive vitality.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 本阿弥光悦筆 書状
  • Title: Letter of Invitation
  • Artist: Hon'ami Kōetsu (Japanese, 1558–1637)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: after 1615
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Hanging scroll; ink on paper
  • Dimensions: Image: 5 3/4 × 22 3/4 in. (14.6 × 57.8 cm)
    Overall with mounting: 35 7/8 × 23 3/8 in. (91.1 × 59.4 cm)
    Overall with knobs: 35 7/8 × 25 5/8 in. (91.1 × 65.1 cm)
  • Classification: Calligraphy
  • Credit Line: Gift of Peggy and Richard M. Danziger, 2024
  • Object Number: 2024.553.3
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Two Poems from One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets, Hon'ami Kōetsu Japanese, Section of handscroll mounted as a hanging scrolll; ink, silver, and gold on paper, Japan
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Painting by Tawaraya Sōtatsu
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