(b 1088; d between 1151 and 1156). Calligrapher, fifth direct descendant of (2) Fujiwara no Kozei. He was the son of Fujiwara no Sadazane (?1076–1120), grandson of Fujiwara no Korefusa (1030–96) and fifth-generation head of the Sesonji school of calligraphy (see JAPAN, §VII, 2(ii)). Unlike a number of his illustrious forebears, he did not have a flourishing government career; however, he was recognized for his calligraphic skills at an early age. A number of his dated works survive on petitions and screens and in the form of calligraphies to be copied in carving for plaques over gates and temple doors. Sandanobu also brushed calligraphies for poetry anthologies, such as the 39-volume transcription, c. 1112, of the Sanjurokunin kashu (‘Collection of the 36 master poets’), a compilation of representative Japanese verse made by Fujiwara no Kinto (966–1041). The Sanjurokunin kashu transcription was executed by 20 different calligraphers, including Sadanobu (e.g. page from Ishiyama-gire (‘Poems of Ki no Tsurayuki’); Seattle, WA, A. Mus.; see JAPAN, §VII, 1(i) and fig. 117). He is particularly well known, however, for his copy of the Buddhist sutras, Hannya rishukyo and the Issaikyo (the whole Buddhist canon). He began copying the Issaikyo when he was 42 and persevered for 23 years until he had copied all 5048 volumes. For this major accomplishment he was accorded the special respects of the Minister of the Left, Fujiwara no Yorinaga (1120–56). Such was the quality of his work that when Sadanobu sent a poem to Saigyo (1118–90), the famous Buddhist priest 30 years his junior, Saigyo rewarded him with the unusual favour of a poem in return. Sadanobu also added the postscript (okugaki) to the famed Byobu dodai (‘Draft for inscription on a folding screen’) attributed to ONO NO MICHIKAZE. Probably because of the speed with which Sadanobu wielded the brush, there is a slight upward slant to the right in his script. His writing represented a fluid interpretation of the Sesonji style.

Part of the Fujiwara (ii) family

• Fujiwara no Sadanobu
  • works
    • Japan, §VII, 1(i)(d): Calligraphy: Court aesthetics
    • Japan, §VII, 2(i)(b): Calligraphy: Buddhist scriptures, Heian period
    • Japan, §VII, 2(ii)(c): Calligraphy: Early courtly styles, Late Heian period