A scroll of calligraphic poetry left behind by Shigetomi Hazama, a merchant and astronomer
Shigetomi Hazama poetry scroll
This is a scroll of calligraphic poetry by Hazama Shigetomi, a merchant and astronomer who was active in Osaka in the Edo period (1603 - 1867). Hazama studied astronomy while running a pawnshop in the Nagahori district of Osaka. Toward the end of the 18th century, he was invited by the shogunate to participate in a project for reforming the lunisolar calendar used in Japan. Upon the completion of this project, the shogunate ordered him to remain in service related to astronomy. The Hazama family subsequently served in this capacity in parallel with the family business for four generations, until the end of the shogunate. This poem is a Chinese-style jueju with seven characters per verse, addressed to Gensuke Tada, a poet and physician. It is a valuable item affording a glimpse of the cultured and artistic side of Hazama.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| The Power of Osaka | The Power of Citizens |
| Storage Facilities | Osaka Science Museum |
| Category | High resolution |
