Manuscripta Orientalia - Manuscripta Orientalia

Abstract. Date Masamune (伊達政宗, 1567—1636), a major commander and politician of the Azuchi‑Momoyama (安土桃山時代) and the beginning of the Edo periods (江戸時代), the head of the Sendai‑han (仙台藩) (Date‑han, 伊達藩) principality, which dominated the north of the island of Honshuu, was a patron of the arts throughout his life. The study focuses on the personality of Date Masamune, his military and political activities and at the same time touches upon a question about his deep interest in traditional Japanese culture. Having earned an excellent reputation in the fields of military and politics, he gained fame in the field of art, literature and poetry. Using his administrative resources, he supported Buddhist temples and with the help of knowledge and skills in the artistic sphere (first and foremost in the arts of tea and incense) successfully solved political problems. As a politician, his efforts to develop the Japanese art of incense koudou (香道) were an illustration of his ability to successfully combine artistic inclinations and political ambitions.

Keywords: Japanese incense culture, Aquilaria (agarwood), ceremony of incense burning, Date Masamune, Sendai, official chronicles, emblems, Date clan

DOI: 10.31250/1238-5018-2020-26-1-5-13

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Received by the Editorial Board: 15.07.2019