Illustrated scroll on paper on the Shogetsudō Koryū school of flower arrangement

1805. Scroll (185 x 9300 mm.), front endpaper covered in silk brocade, wooden core roller. At end (in trans.): “Information came from the founder Zeshinken Ichiro 是心軒一露…Secret Information, Keep in the Family…September 1805…given to Godaibō Bokuyū Goryūken 五大坊卜友 五柳軒 [a successor to Zeshinken].”


Zeshinken (1734–80), scholar monk, was a master of ikebana 生け花 (flower arrangement) and created a school devoted to this art (which still exists and thrives). He devised a seika 生花 form based on a belief in five elements called Godai 五大 (地大 earth, 水大 water, 火大 fire, 風大 wind, and 空大 air) in esoteric Buddhism.


Our scroll begins with a detailed account of many styles of the Shogetsudō Koryū, including flowers in various states of bloom, the 13 rules of flower arrangement, assorted vases and containers, flowers not to be used, a seasonal selection of materials, unsuitable forms, the philosophy of displaying, coordination with hanging scrolls, styles for religious purposes, etc.


The drawings provide guidance for the arrangements. An early reader has provided reading marks throughout.


Fine condition, preserved in a wooden box. Some minor worming.