Philological Research on Wayo in the History of Japanese Calligraphy

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K12869
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 01050:Aesthetics and art studies-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
• Principal Investigator: YANAGIDA Sayaka 東京藝術大学, 美術学部, 助教 (80811819)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 和様 / 書道史 / 書論 / 書学 / 芸術学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study examines the changes in the interpretations of the term “Wayo” by comparing how it is interpreted in the main treatises on calligraphy from early modern period of Japan and in the history of modern and contemporary calligraphy. In the early modern period, interpretations of Wayo and positions on the Wayo school of calligraphy varied, but the authentic works of Prince Sonen, the founder of the Oieryu School, tended to be highly valued. Additionally, it can be observed that arguments suggesting it is irrational to categorically distinguish Japanese calligraphy into Wayo and Karayo have existed since the early modern period. During the Meiji period, there was a trend among kokugaku scholars proficient in documentary research to view the formative period of Wayo as the middle of Heian period, using “Isei Teikin Orai” as their source.

Free Research Field

書道史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって、和様の書に関する文献学的調査が進み、和様の書に関する様式的研究を実証的におこなっていくことが可能となる。東アジアの書の歴史、ひいては書のグローバルヒストリーを構築していく上でも、他地域と比した日本の書の特徴という重要な課題を探る端緒となる。また、和様の語は美術諸分野において用いられると共に、和漢の関係性は日本文化史において欠くことのできない観点である。和様化の起点と特徴を分野横断的に検討していく点においても波及効果が期待される。