A study about the first treatise on calligraphy in Japan and meaning of Yakakuteikinnshou

"Yakakuteikinsho" was written by Fujiwara no Koreyuki and it\u27s the first treatise on calligraphy in Japan. Koreyuki is the sixth in the Sesonji lineage. Fujiwara no Yukinari, the founder of the Sesonji linage, is known as a calligrapher who mastered Japanese-style calligraphy. His progenitors had been in the center of political power and secured their standing through the relationship with the imperial family during the mid-Heian period. Although their political power gradually weakened till the generation of Koreyuki, their post as the calligrapher in the imperial court remained. The calligrapher\u27s duty was important and performed only by males. However, Koreyuki endowed his daughter, Kenreimon- in Ukyo no Daibu (\u27Ukyo no Daibu\u27 is the name of a post), with "Yakaku Teikinsho". Kenreimon-in\u27s father is Taira no Kiyomori. She is the empress of Emperor Takakura and the mother of Emperor Antoku. Genji had a long history of close relationship with the imperial family. Koreyuki\u27s lineage also kept the relationship with Genji. It is speculated that Koreyuki was more than a little conscious of having his daughter work for a person from Taira family. "Yakaku Teikinsho" was to serve as not only an instruction of calligraphy style but also as a strong reminder of the family lineage as the calligrapher which goes back to Yukinari of the eminent position. It emphasizes that a calligrapher should not simply write calligraphy but also be acquainted with related knowledge. His own opinion about the higher order level of book is expressed with pride