Japanese Book History: A View from USC Libraries

A Scroll on Handwriting

Shōsoku kakikata: Sonjun Shinnō shitsu (17?) is an Edo period (1600-1868) scroll of samples and instructions for handwriting, letter writing, and writing Japanese poetry such as waka and renga. The letter writing portion, for example, includes greetings, explanations of how to address letters, instructions of different folding techniques for sending letters, and so on.

The scroll format (kansusō) is the earliest binding type used in Japan, having been imported from China. A scroll is formed by leaves of paper being glued together and a roller attached to a blank leaf at the end. The scroll is rolled around the roller, with thin cord being used to secure the closed scroll in place. Although this is the oldest binding type in Japan, it continued to be used even after other binding types were developed. Dating from the eighteenth century, Shōsoku kakikata is an example of how the scroll format continued to be in use during the Edo period alongside newer binding formats. As it is hand-written and drawn, it is also an example of how manuscript culture persisted into the Edo period.

The wooden box the scroll is stored in (above) is a type of enclosure, that is a protective case in which a books is stored. In Japan these were typically made of wood, particularly wood such as paulownia (kiri) which naturally repels insects and is also very durable.

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