ATSUTANE HIRATA | MS 5331

ATSUTANE HIRATA

MS 5331
MS Short Title ATSUTANE HIRATA
Text ATSUTANE HIRATA: GODOBEN, SHINTO TEXTS
Description Blockprint in Japanese on paper, Edo, Japan, 1837, 3 vols., 28+30+22 ff. (complete), 26x18 cm, 7 columns, (20x31 cm woodblock size), 16 Kanji (Chinese characters) with Katakana added, woodblocks signed by calligrapher/carver, 3 red owner’s stamps in seal script.
Binding Edo, Japan, 1837, blue paper covers, stitched on 5 stations (Xian Zhuang).
Provenance 1. Private owner, Edo, Japan (19th c.); 2. Kimio Koketsu, Ohya-Shobo Ltd, Tokyo.
Commentary Shinto, the native religion of Japan is a form of animism, involving the worship of Kami or sacred spirits representing the sun, wind, rivers, mountains, fertility, etc. Shinto means the path of spirits or Kami. It can also be regarded as a variety of Shamanism. Shinto has no binding set of dogma or authority, formal sacred scriptures or defined set of prayers. Instead, Shinto applies a set of rituals and methods meant to mediate the relations of living humans to Kami. There are no commandments outside of living a simple and harmonious life with nature and people, but it can be said to have four affirmations of the Shinto spirit related to tradition and the family, love of sacred nature, physical purification rituals, and festivals dedicated to the infinite number of Kami.
Place of origin Edo, Japan
Dates 1837