First poetry gathering - Utakai Hajime

The beginning of the Waka Gokaihajime (first Imperial Poetry Gathering) is already recorded in the diary of a nobleman in the mid-14th century (during the Northern and Southern Courts period), but its origin is unclear. When poetry gatherings became a ritual and monthly poetry gatherings were held at the Imperial Court and in the homes of nobles, the first monthly poetry gathering held in the New Year of the year probably came to be called Gokaihajime (at the Imperial Court) or Kaihajime (at the homes of nobles, etc.). By the second half of the 14th century, the roles of the question setter, reader (who organizes the poems and passes them on to the lecturer), lecturer (who recites the poems aloud), and kosho (who sings after the lecturer has recited them), the scope of attendants, and the facilities, attire, and order of the ceremony on the day were all established, and this continued as historical fact until the end of the Edo period.

The current poetry gathering has been held annually since the New Year in 1869 (Meiji 2) in accordance with the ancient tradition. In 1872, ordinary citizens were allowed to submit poems, and in 1879, a system of poem selection was established. Until 1946 (Showa 21), the selection of poems was carried out by members of the Imperial Household Ministry's Poetry Office, but the Office was abolished that year, and from the following year, about five private poets became temporary selectors. In addition to poems by the Emperor, the Empress, and adult members of the Imperial Family, one summoned poet from various fields and around ten selected poems from the general public are also published, and from 1987, more than ten other excellent poems are also published. The theme for the following year is announced on the day of the poetry gathering of that year, and the number of submitted poems averages more than 30,000, with many submitted poems by Japanese and foreigners living abroad. The poems are selected within the year, and the ceremony takes place around the 10th day of the New Year, in the presence of the Emperor and Empress, along with the selector. In accordance with ancient custom, the poems are recited in the following order: selected poem, selector's poem, summoned poem, imperial family member, Crown Princess, Crown Prince, Empress, and imperial poem.

[Fumio Hashimoto]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

禁裏和歌御会始(きんりわかごかいはじめ)として、すでに14世紀なかば（南北朝時代）の公卿(くぎょう)日記に記されているが、その始めは明らかでない。歌会が行事化され、宮中、公卿家などにおいて毎月行われる月次(つきなみ)歌会が普遍化した時代に、その年に初めて催される正月の月次歌会を御会始(ごかいはじめ)（宮中）、会始（公卿家など）とよぶようになったのであろう。天皇出席のもとに宮中で行われる和歌御会始については、14世紀後半には、出題・読師(とくじ)（詠歌を整理し、講師(こうじ)に渡す）・講師（歌を読みあげる）・講頌(こうしょう)（講師の読みあげたあと合唱する）などの諸役、参仕の人の範囲、当日の施設・服装・式次第などが定まり、これを故実として江戸末期まで続いた。

　現行の歌会始は、古式に準じて1869年（明治2）正月以来毎年行われるのが例である。72年に一般国民の詠進が許され、79年から撰歌(せんか)の制度がつくられた。1946年（昭和21）までは宮内省御歌所(おうたどころ)の寄人(よりゅうど)が撰歌にあたったが、その年御歌所が廃止となり、翌年からは民間歌人5名前後が臨時に撰者となるようになった。天皇御製、皇后・成年皇族の御歌のほか、各界からの召歌(めしうた)1名、一般からの撰歌は10首前後、62年からはほかに10首余りの佳作歌も公表される。翌年の御題は当年の歌会始当日に公示され、詠進歌は平均3万余首に及び、在外邦人・外国人の詠進も多い。年内に撰歌され、御会は正月10日前後、天皇・皇后臨席のもとに預撰者も列席し、古式に準じ、預撰歌、撰者歌、召歌、皇族、皇太子妃、皇太子、皇后、御製の順に披講される。

［橋本不美男］

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