Soranjo - Soranjo

This is a collection of handwriting from letters written by Wang Xizhi, a calligrapher from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (4th century) in China. It is an extremely elaborate copy measuring 63cm in length and 17 lines per page. The original was copied using the double hook and ink technique onto white linen paper with vertical blind-like lines, and is believed to be a relic from the Tang Dynasty. The name comes from the two characters "souran" (soran) in the first line of the main text. There are also three "Enryaku Chojo" (seal used by Emperor Kanmu) seals stamped on the right edge of the paper at the seam. Currently kept by the Imperial Household Agency. Two other works of the same type have been handed down in Japan: the "Kojichujo" (two sheets, nine lines, 45.5 cm long, national treasure, Maeda Ikutokukai) and the "Maishijo" (one sheet, two lines, 5.4 cm wide, private collection). The "Souranjo" is particularly well preserved and is famous as a first-class source that faithfully conveys Wang Xizhi's calligraphy. All three of these works were handed down from the Tang Dynasty during the Nara period as the same scroll, and are thought to be part of the "Twenty Volumes of Wang Xizhi's Calligraphy" listed in the "Todaiji Kenmotsucho" (Book of Offerings to Todaiji Temple).

[Akira Nagoya]

"'Calligraphy Masterpieces Series 37 Wang Xizhi' (1960, Nigensha)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

中国・東晋(とうしん)（4世紀）の書家王羲之(おうぎし)の尺牘(せきとく)（手紙）の筆跡を集めたもの。一紙17行、長さ63センチに及ぶきわめて精巧な模写本。縦に簾(すだれ)状の筋目のある白麻紙(はくまし)に、原本を双鉤填墨(そうこうてんぼく)の手法で写したもので、唐時代の遺品と推定される。名称の由来は、本文一行目の「喪乱」の二字による。また本紙右端の紙の継目(つぎめ)に「延暦敕定(ちょくじょう)」（桓武(かんむ)天皇使用印）の印が三か所に押されている。現在、宮内庁保管。ほかに同種のものとして『孔侍中帖(こうじちゅうじょう)』（二紙九行、長さ45.5センチ、国宝、前田育徳会）、『妹至帖(まいしじょう)』（一紙二行、幅5.4センチ、個人蔵）の2点がわが国に伝存するが、『喪乱帖』はとくに保存がよく、王羲之の書法を忠実に伝える第一級の資料として名高い。これら3点はいずれも同じ巻物として奈良時代に唐から伝えられたもので、『東大寺献物帳(とうだいじけんもつちょう)』に記載する「王羲之書法二十巻」の一部と考えられる。

［名児耶明］

『『書跡名品叢刊37　王羲之』（1960・二玄社）』

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