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

Sadden by the death of his music teacher Ayanokoji Akiyori (1295-1329), Emperor Godaigo (1288-1339) wrote this letter permitting the inheritance of secret court music and family documents to Akiyori's son Atsuaki, who became orphaned at age seven. Dating to the time of Akiyori's death to the seventh month of 1329 (Gantoku 1), the letter appears to have been written to Toin Saneyo's father Kinkata, who served as an imperial messenger and who gained the deep trust of the emperor. This work shows a bold calligraphic style worthy of the emperor as well as a personal side of one who was sadden by the possible end of a distinguished family and who deeply appreciated music.