National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

Yoshishige no Yasutane (934?–997) was a Confucian scholar and writer in the mid-Heian period. He studied under Fujiwara no Fumitoki and was acquainted with Minamonoto no Shitago. Yasutane became an authority in his specialized field. He was interested in becoming a priest since his childhood and took the tonsure in 986 under the guidance of Zoga Shonin (saint), when he was given the Buddhist name of Jakushin. His literary work includes Chiteiki, Nihon Ojo Gokurakuki, and Yoshishige no Yasutane Shu. Since this letter is signed with his Buddhist name Jakushin, this seems to be his handwriting in his later years. The letter is a request to borrow a book. While the addressee is unknown, judging from the content, it may have been someone on a higher rank. This letter written in thin sumi shows his gentle, refined writing style.