Fujiwara no Teika’s “Poems on Flowers and Birds of the Twelve Months”

One of the greatest literary arbiters of the classical to early medieval era, Fujiwara no Teika (also known as Sadaie, 1162–1241) was a critic, calligrapher, and diarist as well as an author of waka (31-syllable verse) poetry. He was appointed to the Kyoto court’s Bureau of Poetry in 1201, and enjoyed the patronage of Retired Emperor Gotoba (1180–1239). A prolific author, he produced numerous poems and literary commentaries, and was the primary compiler of the eighth imperially-commissioned anthology of poetry, “New Collection of Ancient and Modern Poetry” (Shinkokin wakashū, circa 1205). His literary achievements exerted a strong influence on Japanese poetry even into modern times.

This handscroll contains waka by Teika dedicated to flowers and birds of the twelve months of the year. Each waka accompanies a delicate image replete with poetic and seasonal references, painted in a style derived from the traditional yamato-e (Japanese-style painting) mode of narrative illustration.