National Gallery in Prague keeps a unique Japanese illustrated manuscript of the ógi no sóshi - a genre
of waka poems illustrated in fan-shaped pictures which blossomed from the late Muromachi to the early Edo period. The Prague Book of Fans with 120 poems is the largest extant book in the world. Japanese researcher Yasuhara Makoto made the basic research of this genre and published it in Pelicansha, 2005. Prof. Mostow translated the book into English and Helena Honcoopová translated the book into Czech. The three co-authors contributed explanatory introduction.
The facsimile of an ancient illustrated manuscript of a book of waka poetry will reveal hitherto
unknown aspects of the period of renaissance of Japanese traditional culture straight after the century
of destructive civil wars at the end of the 16th century (1580-1610). The books of poetry on illustrated fans contain both classical waka poetry and poetry with close affinity to renga, haikai no renga and Noh drama. The introductory text of the facsimile by three specialists from three continents (Czechia, Canada, Japan) throw new light both upon literature and art that were instrumental in the renewal of country in the Momoyama period. The literary quality of the translations and the beauty of the illustrations will be welcome by both academic and general public round the world.
