(b AD 972; d 1027). Calligrapher. His style was free from marked idiosyncrasy and easy to emulate, and it became a standard writing style inherited by the Sesonji school (see JAPAN, §VII, 2(ii) and fig. 122), which enjoyed an authoritative position for five centuries before it eventually declined into mannerism. Kozei is known as a master of kana (Japanese phonetic script). However, of the 30 or more kana calligraphies associated with his name and written in the gently flowing style thought to be typical of his work (see Shodo zenshu, xiii (Tokyo, 1954), pls 29–42), none has been positively attributed to him. The extant works most likely to be from his hand were written entirely in mana (Chinese characters used as units of meaning), in Chinese running (Jap. gyosho; Chin. xing shu) and in cursive (Jap. sosho; Chin. cao shu) scripts, but skilfully adapted to the Japanese taste for grace and delicacy.

Part of the Fujiwara (ii) family

• Fujiwara no Kozei
  • Fujiwara (ii): (3) Fujiwara no Sadanobu
  • groups and movements
    • Fujiwara (ii)
    • Japan, §VII, 2(ii)(b): Calligraphy: Early courtly styles, Middle Heian period
    • Japan, §VII, 2(iii)(a): Calligraphy of the Shoren’in school: Prince Son’en
    • Ono no Michikaze
  • works
    • Japan, §VII, 1(iii)(b): Calligraphy: Heian period
    • Japan, §VII, 2(iii)(a): Calligraphy of the Shoren’in school: Prince Son’en