Seventy-two shikishi inscribed by various calligraphers comprise two famous poetry collections: the Sanjurokunin utawase "Poetry contest of thirty-six Poetic Immortals" compiled by Fujiwara no Kinto in the 10th century; and the Shin sanjurokunin utawase, a private anthology compiled by Fujiwara no Motoyoshi, which first became publicly known un the year 1260, over a century after the compiler's death. The poets are divided by convention into left and right teams.

An accompanying list of the poets inscribed by the late-Edo calligraphy authenticator Kohitsu Ryochu includes names of various high-ranking courtiers and nobles of the mid-17th century. While the specific attributions seem to be applied in an arbitary fashion, many of the writing styles show a clear indebtedness to the great masters of early Edo calligraphy who advocated a revival of the classical style (Jodai-yo). The decorative paper with a dragon border motif across the top was popular during the 17th century.

The sheets are inscribed in various orthodox court styles including that of the Koetsu-ryu, Madenokoji-ryu, and Jimyoin-ryu. The poems by Minamoto Tomochika and Fujiwara Ietaka (sheets 20 and 26 of the Shin sanjurokunin utawase) are rendered in the distinctive calligraphy style popularized by Kojima Soshin (1580-1655) and perpetuated by his prominent pupil Ogata Soken (1621-87). The album thus serves as a valuable compendium of calligraphy styles of the Edo period.