Hyakunin Isshu Poet Encyclopedia (100 Poet Profiles)

1

天智天皇てんじてんのうEmperor Tenji

Role: Emperor

Asuka · Nara

626–672

As Prince Naka no Ōe, he overthrew the Soga clan with Nakatomi no Kamatari (the Isshi Incident) and carried out the Taika Reforms. After the defeat at the Battle of Baekgang, he moved the capital to Ōmi Ōtsu-no-miya and took the throne in 668. With the Kōgo family register and the Ōmi Code, he laid the foundations of the ritsuryō state.

Autumn (Gosen Wakashū)

秋あきの田たの
かりほの庵いおの
苫とまをあらみ
我わが衣手ころもでは
露つゆにぬれつつ

2

持統天皇じとうてんのうEmpress Jitō

Role: Emperor

Asuka · Nara

645–703

Daughter of Emperor Tenji; her personal name was Uno no Sarara. At 13 she married Prince Ōama (Emperor Tenmu) and won the Jinshin War alongside him. After her husband's death, and the early death of her son Prince Kusakabe, she took the throne in 690. She put the Asuka Kiyomihara Code into effect and moved the capital to Fujiwara-kyō.

Summer (Shin Kokinshū)

春はる過すぎて
夏なつ来きにけらし
白妙しろたえの
衣ころもほすてふちょう
天あまの香具山かぐやま

3

柿本人麻呂かきのもとひとまろKakinomoto no Hitomaro

Role: Official

Asuka · Nara

b. unknown–708 (approx.)

He served at court, composing hymns in praise of emperors and elegies for princes. A master of lyric poetry, he was called a "Saint of Poetry" together with Yamabe no Akahito and revered as a god of waka. Much of his life, including his dates, is unclear; he is said to have died in Iwami Province around 708, but whether he collapsed on the road or was executed is uncertain.

Love (Shūi Wakashū)

あしびきの
山鳥やまどりの尾おの
しだり尾おの
ながながし夜よを
ひとりかも寝ねむん

4

山部赤人やまべのあかひとYamabe no Akahito

Role: Official

Asuka · Nara

dates unknown

A Man'yōshū poet of the Nara period who served Emperor Shōmu. Though a low-ranking official, he had a gift for depicting nature and left many poems of the landscapes he saw while accompanying imperial journeys. Ranked with Kakinomoto no Hitomaro as a "Saint of Poetry," he is one of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets. His datable poems span the years 724–736.

Winter (Shin Kokinshū)

田子たごの浦うらに
うちいでてみれば
白妙しろたえの
富士ふじの高嶺たかねに
雪ゆきは降ふりつつ

5

猿丸太夫さるまるだゆうSarumaru Dayū

Role: Legendary

Asuka · Nara

dates unknown

No dates or details of his life were recorded, and nothing concrete is known of his background or achievements, so he is called a legendary poet. He is thought to have lived in the late Nara or early Heian period; his name appears in the Chinese preface to the Kokin Wakashū, and he is counted among the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Autumn (Kokinshū)

奥山おくやまに
紅葉もみじ踏ふみ分わけ
鳴なく鹿しかの
声こえ聞きく時ときぞ
秋あきはかなしき

6

中納言家持ちゅうなごんやかもちMiddle Counselor Yakamochi

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Junior Third Rank

Asuka · Nara

718 (approx.)–785

Son of Ōtomo no Tabito and a Nara-period poet believed to have compiled the Man'yōshū. He became Middle Counselor in 783, but after his death in 785 he was implicated in the assassination of Fujiwara no Tanetsugu and stripped of his status, and his remains were banished to Oki. He was pardoned in 806 and his rank was restored.

Winter (Shin Kokinshū)

かささぎの
渡わたせる橋はしに
おく霜しもの
白しろきをみれば
夜よぞふけにける

7

安倍仲麻呂あべのなかまろAbe no Nakamaro

Role: Other

Asuka · Nara

698–770

Eldest son of Abe no Funamori, he crossed to Tang China with an envoy mission in his late teens. He passed the imperial examinations, served Emperor Xuanzong, and befriended the poets Wang Wei and Li Bai. Valued for his talent, he was not allowed to go home, and the ship he finally boarded in 753 was wrecked and drifted to Vietnam. He died in China in 770.

Travel (Kokinshū)

天あまの原はら
ふりさけみれば
春日かすがなる
三笠みかさの山やまに
出いでし月つきかも

8

喜撰法師きせんほうしPriest Kisen

Role: Monk

Early Heian

dates unknown

One of the Six Immortal Poets, yet almost nothing is recorded of his life or origins, and he may have been handed down more as a literary symbol than as a real person. Only two poems attributed to him survive, and only one, in the Kokin Wakashū, is reliably his.

Misc. (Kokinshū)

わが庵いおは
都みやこの辰巳たつみ
しかぞすむ
世よをうぢじ山やまと
人ひとはいふうなり

9

小野小町おののこまちOno no Komachi

Role: Court lady

Early Heian

dates unknown

An early Heian poet said to be the daughter of Ono no Yoshizane, a district official in Dewa, though her birth and life are shrouded in mystery. She is thought to have served in the inner palaces of Emperors Ninmyō and Montoku, showing her talent for waka at court. One of the Six Immortal Poets and the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets, she inspired many legends as a woman of peerless beauty.

Spring (Kokinshū)

花はなの色いろは
うつりにけりな
いたづずらに
わが身みよにふる
ながめせしまに

10

蝉丸せみまるSemimaru

Role: Legendary

Early Heian

dates unknown

Said to be the fourth son of Emperor Daigo, he is reported to have been abandoned on Mount Ōsaka because he was blind. He then made his living as a biwa-playing minstrel, and one theory holds that his name comes from his singing voice, which recalled the cry of cicadas (semi). Legend says he died at the foot of Mount Ōsaka.

Misc. (Gosen Wakashū)

これやこの
行ゆくも帰かえるも
わかれては
しるもしらぬも
逢坂おうさかの関せき

11

参議篁さんぎたかむらCouncillor Takamura

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Third Rank

Early Heian

802–853

His real name was Ono no Takamura, and he was the grandfather of Ono no Komachi. Appointed deputy envoy to Tang China in 834, he refused to board when ordered to exchange his ship for a leaking one, and he was exiled to Oki for criticizing the missions in his Chinese poem "Saidōyō." Pardoned in 840, he returned to the capital and became Councillor in 847.

Travel (Kokinshū)

わたの原はら
八十島やそしまかけて
漕こぎ出いでぬと
人ひとにはつげよ
あまのつり舟ぶね

12

僧正遍昭そうじょうへんじょうHigh Priest Henjō

Role: Monk

Early Heian

816–890

His lay name was Yoshimine no Munesada. A grandson of Emperor Kanmu born in 816, he served Emperor Ninmyō as Head Chamberlain. Feeling the impermanence of the world when the emperor died in 850, he took the tonsure; he became High Priest in 885 and died in 890. One of the Six Immortal Poets and the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Misc. (Kokinshū)

天あまつ風かぜ
雲くものかよひい路じ
吹ふきとぢじよ
をとめの姿すがた
しばしとどめむん

13

陽成院ようぜいいんRetired Emperor Yōzei

Role: Emperor

Early Heian

869–949

Son of Emperor Seiwa, he took the throne at nine but is said to have abdicated at 17 because of mental illness (some say it was engineered by Fujiwara no Mototsune). He then held the status of retired emperor for more than 60 years, the longest of any retired emperor, and died in 949.

Love (Gosen Wakashū)

筑波嶺つくばねの
峰みねより落おつる
みなの川がわ
こひぞつもりて
淵ふちとなりぬる

14

河原左大臣かわらのさだいじんMinister of the Left of Kawara

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Second Rank

Early Heian

822–895

His real name was Minamoto no Tōru. A son of Emperor Saga, he was made a commoner because his mother was of low rank. He became Minister of the Left in 872 and hoped to take the throne himself when Yōzei abdicated, but was blocked by Fujiwara no Mototsune. He built the lavish Kawara-no-in mansion on Rokujō in the capital and is said to be a model for Hikaru Genji.

Love (Kokinshū)

陸奥みちのくの
しのぶもぢじずり
誰たれゆゑえに
乱みだれそめにし
我われならなくに

15

光孝天皇こうこうてんのうEmperor Kōkō

Role: Emperor

Early Heian

830–887

Son of Emperor Ninmyō; after Yōzei abdicated, he took the throne in 884 at the age of 55 on the recommendation of Fujiwara no Mototsune. He reigned for only three years, with real power largely in Mototsune's hands. The Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku describes him as modest, gentle and compassionate, a character that shows in his poetry.

Spring (Kokinshū)

君きみがため
春はるの野のに出いでて
若菜わかなつむ
わが衣手ころもでに
雪ゆきは降ふりつつ

16

中納言行平ちゅうなごんゆきひらMiddle Counselor Yukihira

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Third Rank

Early Heian

818–893

Ariwara no Yukihira. Second son of Prince Abo, a son of Emperor Heizei, and elder half-brother of Ariwara no Narihira. After serving as Governor of Harima and Head Chamberlain, he became Middle Counselor in 882. In 881 he founded the Shōgakuin, a school for the Ariwara clan, and was devoted to education. He died in 893.

Parting (Kokinshū)

立たち別わかれ
いなばの山やまの
峰みねに生おふうる
まつとし聞きかば
今いま帰かえりこむん

17

在原業平朝臣ありわらのなりひらあそんAriwara no Narihira Ason

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade

Early Heian

825–880

Ariwara no Narihira. A son of Prince Abo, himself a son of Emperor Heizei, he was made a commoner. Free-spirited and gifted at waka, he is regarded as the hero of The Tales of Ise. He served as Provisional Middle Captain of the Right Inner Palace Guards and Head Chamberlain, and died in 880. One of the Six Immortal Poets and the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Autumn (Kokinshū)

ちはやぶる
神代かみよもきかず
竜田川たつたがわ
から紅くれないに
水みずくくるとは

18

藤原敏行朝臣ふじわらのとしゆきあそんFujiwara no Toshiyuki Ason

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade

Early Heian

b. unknown–901

Fujiwara no Toshiyuki. A fine calligrapher, he copied many Lotus Sutras at others' request; the Uji Shūi Monogatari tells how he fell into hell for copying them while ritually impure. In 897 he was made Senior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade and Captain of the Right Military Guards, and he died in 901. One of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Love (Kokinshū)

住すみの江えの
岸きしによる波なみ
よるさへえや
夢ゆめのかよひ路じ
人目ひとめよくらむん

19

伊勢いせIse

Role: Court lady

Early Heian

872 (approx.)–938 (approx.)

A leading poet of the Kokin Wakashū era and daughter of Fujiwara no Tsugukage. She served Empress Onshi, consort of Emperor Uda, and bore the emperor a prince, earning the name "Ise no Miyasudokoro." With Prince Atsuyoshi she had a daughter, Nakatsukasa, who also became a poet. She died around 938.

Love (Shin Kokinshū)

難波潟なにわがた
みじかき葦あしの
ふしのまも
逢あはわでこの世よを
過すぐしてよとや

20

元良親王もとよししんのうPrince Motoyoshi

Role: Imperial family, Rank: Sanpon (3rd Princely Rank)

Early Heian

890–943

Eldest son of Retired Emperor Yōzei, born in 890 after his father's abdication. The greatest lover of his day, he took a different woman almost every night and was nicknamed "the lord who makes the rounds each night." Ki no Tsurayuki composed folding-screen poems for his 40th-birthday celebration. He died in 943; 20 of his poems appear in imperial anthologies.

Love (Gosen Wakashū)

わびぬれば
いまはたおなじ
難波なにわなる
みをつくしても
逢あはわむんとぞ思おもふう

21

素性法師そせいほうしPriest Sosei

Role: Monk

Early Heian

dates unknown

Great-grandson of Emperor Kanmu and son of High Priest Henjō. After rising to Lieutenant of the Left Inner Palace Guards, he took the tonsure young, lived at Urin-in, and later moved to Ryōin-in at Isonokami in Yamato. Even as a monk he was active at court poetry gatherings, and he became Provisional Master of Discipline in 896. His dates are unknown. One of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Love (Kokinshū)

今いまこむんと
いひいしばかりに
長月ながつきの
有明ありあけの月つきを
待まち出いでつるかな

22

文屋康秀ふんやのやすひでFun'ya no Yasuhide

Role: Aristocrat

Early Heian

b. unknown–885 (approx.)

Father of Fun'ya no Asayasu and a leading Heian poet, one of the Six Immortal Poets. When he was posted to Mikawa as a provincial official, he is said to have invited fellow Immortal Ono no Komachi to come along, and the two are known for their literary exchanges. He became Middle Judge of the Ministry of Justice in 860 and died around 885.

Autumn (Kokinshū)

吹ふくからに
秋あきの草木くさきの
しをるれば
むべ山風やまかぜを
嵐あらしといふうらむん

23

大江千里おおえのちさとŌe no Chisato

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade

Early Heian

850 (approx.)–905 (approx.)

Son of Councillor Ōe no Otondo, he was born into a family of scholars, was well versed in the Chinese classics and excelled at waka. In 897 he presented Emperor Uda with the Kudai Waka, waka on lines of Chinese poetry, making him a symbol of the shift from Chinese verse to waka. His rank stopped at Senior Secretary of the Ministry of War, a minor post.

Autumn (Kokinshū)

月つきみれば
ちぢにものこそ
悲かなしけれ
わが身み一ひとつの
秋あきにはあらねど

24

菅家かんけKanke

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Junior Second Rank

Early Heian

845–903

Sugawara no Michizane. Talented at waka and Chinese poetry from childhood, he rose with exceptional speed for a scholar and became Minister of the Right in 899. Slandered by Fujiwara no Tokihira, he was demoted to Dazaifu in 901 and died there in 903. In 993 he was posthumously granted Senior First Rank and the title of Chancellor of the Realm.

Travel (Kokinshū)

このたびは
幣ぬさもとりあへえず
手向山たむけやま
もみぢのにしき
神かみのまにまに

25

三条右大臣さんじょうのうだいじんMinister of the Right of Sanjō

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Junior Second Rank

Early Heian

873–932

His real name was Fujiwara no Sadakata. Son of Fujiwara no Takafuji and father of Middle Counselor Asatada, he was called the Minister of the Right of Sanjō because his residence was in Sanjō and he became Minister of the Right. A maternal relative of the emperor, he was promoted to that post in 924. He recognized and supported Ki no Tsurayuki and Ōshikōchi no Mitsune. He died in 932.

Love (Gosen Wakashū)

名なにし負おはば
逢坂山おうさかやまの
さねかづずら
人ひとにしられで
くるよしもがな

26

貞信公ていしんこうTeishin-kō

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior First Rank

Early Heian

880–949

His real name was Fujiwara no Tadahira. Youngest son of Fujiwara no Mototsune and grandfather of Kentoku-kō. A gentle man, he stayed on friendly terms with Sugawara no Michizane even after his brother Tokihira had Michizane exiled. He became Regent in 930 and Kampaku in 941, helping to build the glory of the Fujiwara clan. He died in 949 and was given the posthumous name Teishin-kō.

Autumn (Shūi Wakashū)

小倉山おぐらやま
峰みねのもみぢじ葉は
心こころあらば
今いまひとたびの
みゆき待またなむん

27

中納言兼輔ちゅうなごんかねすけMiddle Counselor Kanesuke

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Junior Third Rank

Early Heian

877–933

His real name was Fujiwara no Kanesuke. Great-grandfather of Murasaki Shikibu, he recognized and supported Ki no Tsurayuki and Ōshikōchi no Mitsune. Because his mansion stood near the Kamo River embankment, he was called the "Embankment Middle Counselor," and he became Middle Counselor in 930. He was born in 877 and died in 933. One of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Love (Shin Kokinshū)

みかの原はら
わきて流ながるる
いづずみ川がわ
いつ見みきとてか
恋こいしかるらむん

28

源宗于朝臣みなもとのむねゆきあそんMinamoto no Muneyuki Ason

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade

Early Heian

b. unknown–940

Minamoto no Muneyuki. Though of noble birth as a grandson of Emperor Kōkō, he became a commoner in 894 when granted the surname Minamoto no Ason. He presented waka to Emperor Uda and was recognized for his talent, but had little luck in rank: he was made Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade in 939 and died in 940. One of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Winter (Kokinshū)

山里やまざとは
冬ふゆぞさびしさ
まさりける
人目ひとめも草くさも
かれぬと思おもへえば

29

凡河内躬恒おおしこうちのみつねŌshikōchi no Mitsune

Role: Official

Early Heian

859 (approx.)–925 (approx.)

Though his rank was not high, he showed an outstanding gift for poems describing scenery and was one of the finest poets of his day, ranked alongside Ki no Tsurayuki. In 905 he became a compiler of the Kokin Wakashū with Tsurayuki and others, and in 916 he accompanied Cloistered Emperor Uda on his visit to Ishiyama-dera and composed poems. One of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Autumn (Kokinshū)

心当こころあてに
折おらばや折おらむん
初霜はつしもの
おきまどはわせる
白菊しらぎくの花はな

30

壬生忠岑みぶのただみねMibu no Tadamine

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Senior Sixth Rank, Upper Grade

Early Heian

860 (approx.)–920 (approx.)

Father of Mibu no Tadami. A low-ranking military officer in charge of guard duty, he was blessed with poetic talent and often took part in court poetry gatherings. A master of waka, he was chosen in 905 as a compiler of the Kokin Wakashū together with Ki no Tsurayuki and others, and he died around 920. One of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Love (Kokinshū)

有明ありあけの
つれなく見みえし
別わかれより
あかつきばかり
憂うきものはなし

31

坂上是則さかのうえのこれのりSakanoue no Korenori

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade

Early Heian

b. unknown–930

A descendant of the shogun Sakanoue no Tamuramaro. Having served in Nara as a provincial official of Yamato, he was probably familiar with Yoshino. He was also a master of kemari (court football): in 905 he kicked the ball 206 times in a row at the palace and was rewarded with silk. He died in 930. One of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Winter (Kokinshū)

朝あさぼらけ
有明ありあけの月つきと
見みるまでに
吉野よしのの里さとに
降ふれる白雪しらゆき

32

春道列樹はるみちのつらきHarumichi no Tsuraki

Role: Official

Early Heian

b. unknown–920

A descendant of the Mononobe, a powerful clan of ancient times. He became a student of letters in 910 and was appointed Governor of Iki, but died in 920 before taking up his post. He left no personal collection and is little known as a poet, yet Fujiwara no Sadaie seems to have liked this poem so much that he used it as the basis of a poem of his own (honkadori).

Autumn (Kokinshū)

山川やまがわに
風かぜのかけたる
しがらみは
流ながれもあへえぬ
紅葉もみじなりけり

33

紀友則きのとものりKi no Tomonori

Role: Official

Early Heian

845 (approx.)–907

Cousin of Ki no Tsurayuki, known for the Tosa Diary and the kana preface to the Kokin Wakashū. He became one of the anthology's compilers in 905 but died in 907, before it was completed. His poetic talent was highly regarded; many of his poems were included in imperial anthologies, and he was chosen as one of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Spring (Kokinshū)

久方ひさかたの
光ひかりのどけき
春はるの日ひに
しづ心こころなく
花はなの散ちるらむん

34

藤原興風ふじわらのおきかぜFujiwara no Okikaze

Role: Official

Early Heian

dates unknown

Though not of high status, he was highly regarded as a poet and left a personal collection, the Okikaze-shū. A master of the koto, he is said to have excelled at music as well. He has 38 poems in imperial anthologies from the Kokin Wakashū on and is one of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets. He became a provincial official of Sagami in 900 and of Shimōsa in 914.

Misc. (Kokinshū)

誰たれをかも
知しる人ひとにせむん
高砂たかさごの
松まつも昔むかしの
友ともならなくに

35

紀貫之きのつらゆきKi no Tsurayuki

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade

Early Heian

868 (approx.)–945

He wrote the kana preface to the Kokin Wakashū and compiled the anthology at the command of Emperor Daigo in 905. Appointed Governor of Tosa in 930, he wrote the Tosa Diary about his journey back to the capital around 935, in kana and from a woman's point of view, greatly influencing later women writers. He died around 945.

Spring (Kokinshū)

人ひとはいさ
心こころも知しらず
ふるさとは
花はなぞ昔むかしの
香かに匂におひいける

36

清原深養父きよはらのふかやぶKiyohara no Fukayabu

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade

Early Heian

dates unknown

A descendant of Emperor Tenmu and great-grandfather of Sei Shōnagon. Never fortunate in rank, he was made Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade in 930. He associated with Fujiwara no Kanesuke, Ki no Tsurayuki and Ōshikōchi no Mitsune, and was a master of the koto. In his later years he is said to have founded Fudaraku-ji in Iwakura and lived there in seclusion.

Summer (Kokinshū)

夏なつの夜よは
まだ宵よいながら
あけぬるを
雲くものいづこに
月つきやどるらむん

37

文屋朝康ふんやのあさやすFun'ya no Asayasu

Role: Official, Rank: Junior Sixth Rank, Lower Grade

Early Heian

dates unknown

Son of Fun'ya no Yasuhide. Never fortunate in rank, he was nevertheless known as a poet. He became a provincial official of Suruga in 892 and Senior Secretary of the Bureau of Palace Attendants in 902. He composed for the Kanpyō Empress's Poetry Contest and Prince Koresada's Poetry Contest, and three of his poems appear in imperial anthologies.

Autumn (Gosen Wakashū)

白露しらつゆに
風かぜの吹ふきしく
秋あきの野のは
つらぬきとめぬ
玉たまぞ散ちりける

38

右近うこんUkon

Role: Court lady

Early Heian

dates unknown

A lady-in-waiting to Empress Onshi, consort of Emperor Daigo. Her name comes from her father's post as Lesser Captain of the Right Inner Palace Guards. The Yamato Monogatari shows her falling in love with various men, revealing her as a woman of many romances. She composed for the Tentoku Palace Poetry Contest of 960 and other events.

Love (Shūi Wakashū)

忘わすらるる
身みをば思おもはず
誓ちかひてし
人ひとの命いのちの
惜おしくもあるかな

39

参議等さんぎひとしCouncillor Hitoshi

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade

Early Heian

880–951

His real name was Minamoto no Hitoshi. A great-grandson of Emperor Saga, he became a commoner with the surname Minamoto. After a series of provincial posts, including Governor of Mikawa and of Tanba, he became Councillor in 947 and joined the ranks of the senior nobles. He was made Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade in 951 and died some time later. Only four of his poems appear, in the Gosen Wakashū.

Love (Gosen Wakashū)

浅茅生あさじうの
小野おのの篠原しのはら
しのぶれど
あまりてなどか
人ひとの恋こいしき

40

平兼盛たいらのかねもりTaira no Kanemori

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade

Early Heian

b. unknown–991

A great-great-grandson of Emperor Kōkō, he became a commoner in 950 when granted the surname Taira no Ason; his line was separate from Kiyomori's Ise Taira. He competed against Mibu no Tadami at the Tentoku Palace Poetry Contest of 960 and became Governor of Suruga in 979. One theory holds that he was the father of Akazome Emon. He died in 991. One of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Love (Shūi Wakashū)

忍しのぶれど
色いろに出いでにけり
我わが恋こいは
物ものや思おもふと
人ひとの問とふうまで

41

壬生忠見みぶのただみMibu no Tadami

Role: Official

Early Heian

dates unknown

Son of Mibu no Tadamine. A low-ranking official under Emperor Murakami, he inherited his father's gift for poetry and excelled from childhood, being summoned to the palace to work in the imperial kitchen office. He became a provincial official of Settsu in 958 and competed against Taira no Kanemori at the Tentoku Palace Poetry Contest of 960. He has 36 poems in imperial anthologies. One of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Love (Shūi Wakashū)

恋こいすてふちょう
我わが名なはまだき
立たちにけり
人ひとしれずこそ
思おもひいそめしか

42

清原元輔きよはらのもとすけKiyohara no Motosuke

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade

Early Heian

908–990

Grandson of Kiyohara no Fukayabu and father of Sei Shōnagon. In 951 he worked on compiling the Gosen Wakashū as one of the Five Men of the Pear Chamber. He became Governor of Higo in 986 and died there in 990. Sei Shōnagon is said to have avoided composing waka so as not to tarnish her father's name.

Love (Goshūi Wakashū)

契ちぎりきな
かたみに袖そでを
しぼりつつ
末すえの松山まつやま
波なみこさじとは

43

中納言敦忠ちゅうなごんあつただMiddle Counselor Atsutada

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Junior Third Rank

Early Heian

906–943

His real name was Fujiwara no Atsutada. Third son of Minister of the Left Fujiwara no Tokihira, he was gifted at waka and the biwa. He became Acting Middle Counselor in 942 but died of illness in 943 at the age of 38. Because his father had brought about Sugawara no Michizane's downfall, rumor spread that his death was the curse of Michizane's vengeful spirit. One of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Love (Shūi Wakashū)

逢あひい見みての
のちの心こころに
くらぶれば
昔むかしは物ものを
思おもはわざりけり

44

中納言朝忠ちゅうなごんあさただMiddle Counselor Asatada

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Junior Third Rank

Early Heian

910–967

His real name was Fujiwara no Asatada. Fifth son of Sadakata, the Minister of the Right of Sanjō, he was known for his waka and as a master of the shō (mouth organ). He became Councillor in 952 and Middle Counselor in 963, rising to Junior Third Rank. His granddaughter was Rinshi, wife of Michinaga. He died in 967. One of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Love (Shūi Wakashū)

逢あふうことの
絶たえてしなくは
なかなかに
人ひとをも身みをも
恨うらみざらまし

45

謙徳公けんとくこうKentoku-kō

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Second Rank

Early Heian

924–972

The posthumous name of Fujiwara no Koretada. Grandson of Teishin-kō and son of Minister of the Right Morosuke, he ignored his father's dying instructions and lived in luxury. In 951 he became Director of the Bureau of Poetry and led the Five Men of the Pear Chamber; he became Regent in 970 and Chancellor of the Realm in 971, and died the following year at 49. Father of Fujiwara no Yoshitaka.

Love (Shūi Wakashū)

あはわれとも
いふうべき人は
思おもほおえで
身みのいたづずらに
なりぬべきかな

46

曾禰好忠そねのよしただSone no Yoshitada

Role: Official

Mid Heian

dates unknown

A pioneer who brought old words from the Man'yōshū into his verse and originated the hundred-poem sequence. His novel style was not understood by the aristocracy, and he was regarded as an eccentric. In 985 he turned up uninvited at Retired Emperor En'yū's Day of the Rat outing in the New Year and was thrown out. He was later highly regarded and has more poems than anyone else in the Shika Wakashū.

Love (Shin Kokinshū)

由良ゆらのとを
渡わたる舟人ふなびと
かぢじを絶たえ
ゆくへも知しらぬ
恋こいの道みちかな

47

恵慶法師えぎょうほうしPriest Egyō

Role: Monk

Mid Heian

dates unknown

A monk said to have been a lecturer at the provincial temple of Harima. A friend of the priest Anpō, who lived at the Kawara-no-in, he often visited the mansion. He became active in poetry contests and other events from around 962, and in 986 he accompanied Retired Emperor Kazan on his pilgrimage to Kumano.

Autumn (Shūi Wakashū)

八重葎やえむぐら
しげれる宿やどの
さびしきに
人ひとこそ見みえね
秋あきは来きにけり

48

源重之みなもとのしげゆきMinamoto no Shigeyuki

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade

Mid Heian

b. unknown–1000

A great-grandson of Emperor Seiwa. While moving from one provincial post to another, he composed waka and presented Emperor Reizei with a hundred-poem sequence, the Shigeyuki Hyakushu. He was also a friend of Sone no Yoshitada. Around 995 he went down to Mutsu Province with Fujiwara no Sanekata, who had been appointed Governor of Mutsu, and died there in 1000.

Love (Shika Wakashū)

風かぜをいたみ
岩いわうつ波なみの
おのれのみ
くだけて物ものを
思おもふうころかな

49

大中臣能宣朝臣おおなかとみのよしのぶあそんŌnakatomi no Yoshinobu Ason

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade

Mid Heian

921–991

Ōnakatomi no Yoshinobu. From the Nakatomi clan, which shared its ancestry with Nakatomi no Kamatari, he served as chief priest of Ise Shrine. He was one of the Five Men of the Pear Chamber who worked on the Gosen Wakashū at the command of Emperor Murakami. Grandfather of Ise no Taifu, he died in 991. One of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

Love (Shika Wakashū)

御垣守みかきもり
衛士えじのたく火ひの
夜よるはもえ
昼ひるは消きえつつ
物ものをこそ思おもへえ

50

藤原義孝ふじわらのよしたかFujiwara no Yoshitaka

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade

Mid Heian

954–974

Son of Kentoku-kō (Fujiwara no Koretada), he was blessed with good looks and talent. Deeply devoted to Buddhism, he is said never to have eaten meat or fish. Though he composed a poem wishing for a long life, he died of smallpox in 974 at the age of 21. His eldest son was Fujiwara no Yukinari, one of the Sanseki, the three great calligraphers.

Love (Goshūi Wakashū)

君きみがため
惜おしからざりし
いのちさへえ
長ながくもがなと
思おもひいけるかな

51

藤原実方朝臣ふじわらのさねかたあそんFujiwara no Sanekata Ason

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade

Mid Heian

b. unknown–999

Fujiwara no Sanekata. A great-grandson of Teishin-kō, he was born into a distinguished family and great things were expected of him. According to the Kojidan, he quarreled with Fujiwara no Yukinari at court and threw away Yukinari's eboshi cap, angering Emperor Ichijō, who sent him off to Mutsu with the words "Go and see the utamakura." He died in Mutsu Province in 999.

Love (Goshūi Wakashū)

かくとだに
えやはいぶきの
さしも草ぐさ
さしも知しらじな
もゆる思おもひいを

52

藤原道信朝臣ふじわらのみちのぶあそんFujiwara no Michinobu Ason

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade

Mid Heian

972–994

Fujiwara no Michinobu. Son of Fujiwara no Tamemitsu, he was raised as the adopted son of his uncle, Regent Fujiwara no Kaneie. The Ōkagami records him as a skilled poet, and he is said to have been modest and kind-hearted. He became Middle Captain of the Left Inner Palace Guards in 991 but died young of smallpox in 994, at 23.

Love (Goshūi Wakashū)

明けぬれば
暮くるるものとは
知くりながら
なほおうらめしき
朝あさぼらけかな

53

右大将道綱母うだいしょうみちつなのははMother of the Right Captain Michitsuna

Role: Other

Mid Heian

936 (approx.)–995

Daughter of Fujiwara no Tomoyasu, she became a secondary wife of Fujiwara no Kaneie, later Kampaku, and bore Michitsuna in 955. Her Kagerō Diary, completed around 974, reveals both her anguish over her husband's infidelity and the proud spirit with which she lived through adversity. She is counted among the Three Beauties of Japan. Died 995.

Love (Shūi Wakashū)

嘆なげきつつ
ひとり寝ぬる夜よの
明あくる間まは
いかに久ひさしき
ものとかは知しる

54

儀同三司母ぎどうさんしのははMother of the Honorary Grand Minister

Role: 内侍, Rank: Junior Third Rank

Mid Heian

b. unknown–996

Her real name was Takashina no Takako. A noble lady of outstanding talent in Chinese poetry, she bore Fujiwara no Michitaka a son, Korechika, and a daughter, Teishi, who became empress to Emperor Ichijō. Her husband died in 995, and in 996, as Korechika and Takaie were demoted in the Chōtoku Incident, she died the same year.

Love (Senzai Wakashū)

忘わすれじの
ゆく末すえまでは
かたければ
今日きょうを限かぎりの
命いのちともがな

55

大納言公任だいなごんきんとうUpper Counselor Kintō

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Second Rank

Mid Heian

966–1041

His real name was Fujiwara no Kintō. A learned man of culture who excelled at Chinese poetry, waka and music, he was praised for his "talent for all three boats." When his elder sister Junshi became empress to Emperor En'yū, he made a careless jibe at the consort Senshi and earned her resentment, showing a rash side. Late in life, dissatisfied with his rank, he withdrew from politics into seclusion.

Misc. (Senzai Wakashū)

滝たきの音おとは
たえて久ひさしく
なりぬれど
名なこそ流ながれて
なほお聞きこえけれ

56

和泉式部いずみしきぶIzumi Shikibu

Role: Court lady

Mid Heian

976 (approx.)–d. unknown

After having a daughter, Koshikibu no Naishi, with Tachibana no Michisada, she had affairs with Prince Tametaka and Prince Atsumichi. Her romance with Atsumichi is told in the Izumi Shikibu Diary. Around 1009 she entered the service of Empress Shōshi and later remarried, to Fujiwara no Yasumasa. Murasaki Shikibu praised her literary talent and her allure.

Love (Goshūi Wakashū)

あらざらむん
この世よのほかの
思おもひい出でに
いまひとたびの
逢おふうこともがな

57

紫式部むらさきしきぶMurasaki Shikibu

Role: Court lady

Mid Heian

970 (approx.)–1014 (approx.)

Daughter of Fujiwara no Tametoki. Clever from childhood, she is said to have learned Chinese poetry faster than her younger brother. She married Fujiwara no Nobutaka around 998 and bore a daughter, Kenshi (Daini no Sanmi). After her husband's death she began writing The Tale of Genji and, chosen by Michinaga, entered the service of Empress Shōshi around 1005.

Misc. (Shin Kokinshū)

めぐり逢あひいて
見みしやそれとも
わかぬ間まに
雲隠くもがくれにし
夜半よわの月つきかな

58

大弐三位だいにのさんみDaini no Sanmi

Role: Court lady, Rank: Junior Third Rank

Mid Heian

999 (approx.)–1082 (approx.)

Her real name was Kenshi. Daughter of Murasaki Shikibu, she followed her mother into the service of Empress Shōshi. She became wet nurse to Emperor Go-Reizei and was made Junior Third Rank in 1054. Her name combines the post of her second husband, Takashina no Nariakira, as Senior Assistant Governor-General (daini) of Dazaifu, with her own rank of Junior Third Rank (sanmi). She died around 1082.

Love (Goshūi Wakashū)

ありま山やま
猪名いなの笹原ささはら
風かぜ吹ふけば
いでそよ人ひとを
忘わすれやはする

59

赤染衛門あかぞめえもんAkazome Emon

Role: Court lady

Mid Heian

956 (approx.)–1041 (approx.)

Her name comes from her father's post in the Right Gate Guards. Around 976 she married Ōe no Masahira, and in 1001 she went with him to Owari Province. She served Rinshi, principal wife of Fujiwara no Michinaga, and Rinshi's daughter Empress Shōshi, and associated with Murasaki Shikibu and Izumi Shikibu. She is also known as the author of the main part of the Eiga Monogatari.

Love (Goshūi Wakashū)

やすらはわで
寝ねなましものを
小夜さよ更ふけて
かたぶくまでの
月つきを見みしかな

60

小式部内侍こしきぶのないしKoshikibu no Naishi

Role: Court lady

Mid Heian

b. unknown–1025

Called by a court name taken from her mother Izumi Shikibu's, she served Empress Shōshi alongside her mother from around 1009. In 1016 she bore Fujiwara no Norimichi a son (Jōen), and in 1025 she died after childbirth while still in her twenties. The Izumi Shikibu Collection contains elegies mourning the daughter who died so young.

Misc. (Kin'yō Wakashū)

大江山おおえやま
いく野のの道みちの
遠とおければ
まだふみもみず
天あまの橋立はしだて

61

伊勢大輔いせのたいふIse no Taifu

Role: Court lady

Mid Heian

989 (approx.)–d. unknown

Granddaughter of Ōnakatomi no Yoshinobu; her name comes from her father's post as Senior Assistant Head of the Department of Divinities (taifu). From around 1008 she served Empress Shōshi and associated with Izumi Shikibu and Murasaki Shikibu. She composed for many poetry contests and in later life helped raise Emperor Shirakawa. She is known to have been alive until around 1060.

Spring (Shika Wakashū)

いにしへえの
奈良ならの都みやこの
八重桜やえざくら
けふきょう九重ここのえに
匂におひいぬるかな

62

清少納言せいしょうなごんSei Shōnagon

Role: Court lady

Mid Heian

966 (approx.)–1025 (approx.)

Great-granddaughter of Kiyohara no Fukayabu and daughter of Kiyohara no Motosuke. She married Tachibana no Norimitsu around 981 and entered the service of Empress Teishi in 993. When Teishi died in 1000, she left court service. The author of The Pillow Book, Japan's oldest collection of essays, she died around 1025.

Misc. (Goshūi Wakashū)

夜よをこめて
鳥とりのそらねは
はかるとも
よに逢坂おうさかの
関せきは許ゆるさじ

63

左京大夫道雅さきょうのだいぶみちまさMaster of the Left Capital Michimasa

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Third Rank

Mid Heian

992–1054

His real name was Fujiwara no Michimasa. Eldest son of Fujiwara no Korechika, his family fell from power in the Chōtoku Incident. He became Junior Third Rank in 1016 but had no political influence, and in his despair his conduct worsened until he was called the "Wild Third Rank" and the "Wicked Third Rank." He took the tonsure and died in 1054.

Love (Goshūi Wakashū)

いまはただ
思おもひ絶たえなむん
とばかりを
人ひとづてならで
言いふうよしもがな

64

中納言定頼ちゅうなごんさだよりMiddle Counselor Sadayori

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Third Rank

Mid Heian

995–1045

His real name was Fujiwara no Sadayori. Son of Fujiwara no Kintō, he inherited his father's skill at waka and music and was also a fine calligrapher. He became Acting Middle Counselor in 1029, took the tonsure because of illness in 1044, and died the following year. An anecdote tells how Koshikibu no Naishi bested him with a poem, suggesting he had a careless side.

Winter (Senzai Wakashū)

朝あさぼらけ
宇治うじの川霧かわぎり
絶たえ絶だえに
あらはわれわたる
瀬々せぜの網代木あじろぎ

65

相模さがみSagami

Role: Court lady

Mid Heian

998 (approx.)–after 1061

Her name comes from her marriage to Ōe no Kinsuke, Governor of Sagami, though they parted around 1025. Serving Princess Shūshi, she had many free-spirited love affairs and was highly regarded as a poet, with 40 poems in the Goshūi Wakashū. She was the adopted daughter of Minamoto no Yorimitsu.

Love (Goshūi Wakashū)

恨うらみわび
ほさぬ袖そでだに
あるものを
恋こいにくちなむん
名なこそをしけれ

66

大僧正行尊だいそうじょうぎょうそんSenior High Priest Gyōson

Role: Monk

Mid Heian

1055–1135

A great-grandson of Retired Emperor Sanjō. He lost his father at ten and at 12 took the tonsure at Onjō-ji, becoming a Tendai monk. After ascetic training as a mountain ascetic (yamabushi), he became chief abbot of Onjō-ji in 1116 and head of the Tendai sect in 1123, though he soon resigned. He became Senior High Priest at 71 and died in 1135.

Misc. (Kin'yō Wakashū)

もろともに
あはわれと思おもへえ
山桜やまざくら
花はなよりほかに
知しる人ひともなし

67

周防内侍すおうのないしSuō no Naishi

Role: Court lady

Mid Heian

1037 (approx.)–1111 (approx.)

Her real name was Taira no Nakako, and her court name comes from her father's post as Governor of Suō. A court poet who served four emperors—Go-Reizei, Go-Sanjō, Shirakawa and Horikawa—she has 35 poems in imperial anthologies from the Goshūi Wakashū on. She took the tonsure because of illness around 1108 and died around 1111.

Misc. (Senzai Wakashū)

春はるの夜よの
夢ゆめばかりなる
手枕たまくらに
かひいなく立たたむん
名なこそをしけれ

68

三条院さんじょういんRetired Emperor Sanjō

Role: Emperor

Mid Heian

976–1017

Second son of Emperor Reizei, he took the throne in 1011 at the age of 36, but his reign lasted only five years. During it the palace burned down twice, and he suffered from an eye disease. He abdicated in favor of Emperor Go-Ichijō in 1016, took the tonsure in 1017, and died.

Misc. (Goshūi Wakashū)

心こころにも
あらで憂うき世よに
ながらへえば
恋こいしかるべき
夜半よわの月つきかな

69

能因法師のういんほうしPriest Nōin

Role: Monk

Mid Heian

988–1050 or 1058

His real name was Tachibana no Nagayasu. A student of letters, he took the tonsure in 1013 and called himself Nōin. Deeply interested in utamakura, he was an aesthete who traveled throughout Japan composing poems. Legends tell how he tanned his face to pretend he had written a poem on the road, and how his poem brought rain. He died in 1050 or 1058.

Autumn (Goshūi Wakashū)

嵐あらし吹ふく
三室みむろの山やまの
紅葉もみじ葉ばは
竜田たつたの川かわの
錦にしきなりけり

70

良暹法師りょうぜんほうしPriest Ryōzen

Role: Monk

Mid Heian

dates unknown

A monk of Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei, he served as administrator of the Gion Shrine and is said to have then lived quietly in the village of Ōhara. Some say he spent his last years at Urin-in. He composed for the 1038 poetry contest held at the house of Acting Upper Counselor Morofusa and other events, and one theory holds that he died in the Kōhei era (1058–1065).

Autumn (Goshūi Wakashū)

さびしさに
宿やどを立たち出いでて
ながむれば
いづずくも同おなじ
秋あきの夕ゆう暮ぐれ

71

大納言経信だいなごんつねのぶUpper Counselor Tsunenobu

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Second Rank

Mid Heian

1016–1097

His real name was Minamoto no Tsunenobu. A great-grandson of Prince Atsumi, he was a man of many talents in Chinese poetry, waka and music. He showed his versatility at a boating party on the Ōi River and, like Kintō, was praised for his "talent for all three boats." He became Upper Counselor in 1091, went to Dazaifu as Provisional Governor-General in 1094, and died there in 1097.

Autumn (Kin'yō Wakashū)

夕ゆうされば
門田かどたの稲葉いなば
おとづずれて
蘆あしのまろやに
秋風あきかぜぞ吹ふく

72

祐子内親王家紀伊ゆうしないしんのうけのきいKii of Princess Yūshi's Household

Role: Court lady

Late Heian

dates unknown

A lady-in-waiting to Princess Yūshi, third daughter of Emperor Go-Suzaku, she was active as a poet for many years. Some sources say she was the younger sister or the wife of Fujiwara no Shigetsune, Governor of Kii, whose post is thought to be the source of her name. She composed for the Horikawa-in Love Letter Contest in 1102 and joined the Horikawa Hundred-Poem Sequences around 1105.

Love (Kin'yō Wakashū)

音おとに聞きく
高師たかしの浜はまの
あだ波なみは
かけじや袖そでの
ぬれもこそすれ

73

権中納言匡房ごんちゅうなごんまさふさActing Middle Counselor Masafusa

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Second Rank

Late Heian

1041–1111

His real name was Ōe no Masafusa. A great-grandson of Akazome Emon, he was born into a family of scholars and became an advanced student of letters at 16. Well versed in court precedent and protocol, he tutored three emperors: Go-Sanjō, Shirakawa and Horikawa. He became Acting Middle Counselor in 1094 and died in 1111.

Spring (Goshūi Wakashū)

高砂たかさごの
尾おの上への桜さくら
咲さきにけり
外山とやまの霞かすみ
立たたずもあらなむん

74

源俊頼朝臣みなもとのとしよりあそんMinamoto no Toshiyori Ason

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade

Late Heian

1055–1129

Son of Minamoto no Tsunenobu. Known for his innovative style, he and the traditionalist Fujiwara no Mototoshi were the two great figures of the poetry world in the age of cloistered rule. Though of low rank, he compiled the Kin'yō Wakashū at the command of Retired Emperor Shirakawa. He served as poet and judge at many gatherings and led the poetry world until his death in 1129.

Love (Senzai Wakashū)

憂うかりける
人ひとを初瀬はつせの
山やまおろしよ
はげしかれとは
祈いのらぬものを

75

藤原基俊ふじわらのもととしFujiwara no Mototoshi

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade

Late Heian

1060–1142

A great-grandson of Fujiwara no Michinaga, he ended his career in the minor rank of Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade. Valuing traditional style, he clashed with the innovative Minamoto no Toshiyori, and the two were regarded as the twin pillars of poetry in the age of cloistered rule. Late in life he took Fujiwara no Toshinari as a pupil; he took the tonsure in 1138 and died in 1142.

Misc. (Senzai Wakashū)

契ちぎりおきし
させもが露つゆを
いのちにて
あはわれ今年ことしの
秋あきもいぬめり

76

法性寺入道前関白太政大臣ほっしょうじにゅうどうさきのかんぱくだいじょうだいじんLay Novice of Hosshō-ji Temple, former Kampaku and Chancellor of the Realm

Role: Monk, Rank: Junior First Rank

Late Heian

1097–1164

His real name was Fujiwara no Tadamichi. Eldest son of Fujiwara no Tadazane, he became Kampaku in 1121. His feud with his half-brother Yorinaga led to the Hōgen Rebellion, in which he sided with Emperor Go-Shirakawa in 1156 and won. Also a fine calligrapher, he is known as the founder of the Hosshō-ji school of calligraphy. He died in 1164.

Misc. (Shika Wakashū)

わたの原はら
こぎいでてみれば
久方ひさかたの
雲くも居いにまがごふう
沖おきつ白波しらなみ

77

崇徳院すとくいんRetired Emperor Sutoku

Role: Emperor

Late Heian

1119–1164

Eldest son of Emperor Toba, he took the throne in 1123 at the age of five, but, disliked by Retired Emperor Toba, he abdicated in favor of Emperor Konoe in 1141. Defeated in the Hōgen Rebellion of 1156, he was exiled to Sanuki Province and died there in 1164 without ever returning to the capital.

Love (Shika Wakashū)

瀬せをはやみ
岩いわにせかるる
滝川たきがわの
われても末すえに
あはわむんとぞ思おもふう

78

源兼昌みなもとのかねまさMinamoto no Kanemasa

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade

Late Heian

dates unknown

A descendant of Emperor Uda, he rose no higher than Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade, a minor rank. He showed his talent as a poet and was one of the authors of the Eikyū Hundred-Poem Sequences, compiled in 1116 at the command of Emperor Toba. He also composed for the poetry contest at Lord Kuninobu's house in 1100 and other events.

Winter (Kin'yō Wakashū)

淡路島あわじしま
かよふう千鳥ちどりの
鳴なく声こえに
幾夜寝覚ねざめぬ
須磨すまの関守せきもり

79

左京大夫顕輔さきょうのだいぶあきすけMaster of the Left Capital Akisuke

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Senior Third Rank

Late Heian

1090–1155

His real name was Fujiwara no Akisuke. Son of Fujiwara no Akisue, founder of the Rokujō Fujiwara house, he was born into a distinguished family of poets. He compiled the Shika Wakashū at the command of Retired Emperor Sutoku and presented it in 1151. He did not include a single poem by his son Kiyosuke, who had helped him—a sign of the rift between them. He died in 1155.

Autumn (Shin Kokinshū)

秋風あきかぜに
たなびく雲くもの
たえ間まより
もれいづずる月つきの
影かげのさやけさ

80

待賢門院堀川たいけんもんいんのほりかわHorikawa, attendant to Empress Taiken

Role: Court lady

Late Heian

dates unknown

She served Empress Taiken (Taikenmon-in Tamako), mother of Retired Emperor Sutoku, and was active as a poet in Sutoku's time. In 1142 she took the tonsure along with Empress Taiken and spent her last years at Ninna-ji. Empress Taiken died in 1145, and in 1150 Horikawa contributed a hundred poems to the Kyūan Hundred-Poem Sequences.

Love (Senzai Wakashū)

長ながからむん
心こころもしらず
黒髪くろがみの
みだれてけさは
物ものをこそ思おもへえ

81

後徳大寺左大臣ごとくだいじのさだいじんLater Tokudaiji Minister of the Left

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Second Rank

Late Heian

1139–1192

His real name was Fujiwara no Sanesada. A cousin of Fujiwara no Sadaie, he excelled at waka and was also a master musician. Because his grandfather Saneyoshi was called the "Tokudaiji Minister of the Left," he was called the "Later Tokudaiji Minister of the Left." He became Minister of the Left in 1189, took the tonsure in 1191 and died the following year.

Summer (Senzai Wakashū)

ほととぎす
鳴なきつる方かたを
ながむれば
ただ有明ありあけの
月つきぞ残のこれる

82

道因法師どういんほうしPriest Dōin

Role: Monk, Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade

Late Heian

1090–1182 (approx.)

His lay name was Fujiwara no Atsuyori. He served as Assistant Director of the Right Bureau of Horses and reached Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade. Longing to compose fine poems, he walked every month from Kyoto to Sumiyoshi Shrine to pray. Even after taking the tonsure in 1172 he attended poetry gatherings in his advanced years, and he died around 1182.

Love (Senzai Wakashū)

思おもひいわび
さても命いのちは
あるものを
憂うきにたへえぬは
涙なみだなりけり

83

皇太后宮大夫俊成こうたいごうぐうのだいぶとしなりMaster of the Empress Dowager's Household Toshinari

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Third Rank

Late Heian

1114–1204

His real name was Fujiwara no Toshinari; he was the father of Fujiwara no Sadaie. He judged many poetry contests and valued aesthetic ideals such as yūgen (mysterious depth) and en (elegant charm). In 1188 he presented the Senzai Wakashū, compiled at the command of Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa. In 1203 he was honored with a banquet for his 90th year, and he died in 1204.

Misc. (Senzai Wakashū)

世よの中なかよ
道みちこそなけれ
思おもひい入いる
山やまの奥おくにも
鹿しかぞ鳴なくなる

84

藤原清輔朝臣ふじわらのきよすけあそんFujiwara no Kiyosuke Ason

Role: Aristocrat, Rank: Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade

Late Heian

1104–1177

Son of Fujiwara no Akisuke. Because of the rift with his father, not one of his poems was included in the Shika Wakashū. He became head of the Rokujō Fujiwara house in 1155 and compiled the Shoku Shika Wakashū at the command of Emperor Nijō, but the emperor's death meant it never became an imperial anthology. He died in 1177.

Misc. (Shin Kokinshū)

長ながらへえば
またこのごろや
しのばれむん
憂うしと見みし世よぞ
今いまは恋こいしき

85

俊恵法師しゅんえほうしPriest Shun'e

Role: Monk

Late Heian

1113–1191 (approx.)

Son of Minamoto no Toshiyori, he lost his father at 17 and became a monk at Tōdai-ji. Around 1150 he named his quarters in Shirakawa the Karin'en ("Garden in the Forest of Poems") and held poetry gatherings there, inviting many poets. His pupils included Kamo no Chōmei, author of the Hōjōki. He died around 1191.

Love (Senzai Wakashū)

夜よもすがら
物もの思おもふうころは
明あけやらで
閨ねやのひまさへえ
つれなかりけり

86

西行法師さいぎょうほうしPriest Saigyō

Role: Monk, Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade

Late Heian

1118–1190

His lay name was Satō Norikiyo. A guard of the North Quarters under Retired Emperor Toba and Lieutenant of the Left Military Guards, he took the tonsure in 1140—one theory says to cut off his love for Empress Taiken. A wandering poet, he traveled to Tōhoku, Shikoku and other regions, composing many poems along the way. He died at Hirokawa-dera in 1190.

Love (Senzai Wakashū)

嘆なげけとて
月つきやは物ものを
思おもはわする
かこち顔がおなる
わが涙なみだかな

87

寂蓮法師じゃくれんほうしPriest Jakuren

Role: Monk, Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade

Kamakura

1139 (approx.)–1202

The adopted son of Fujiwara no Toshinari, he is said to have taken the tonsure so that Toshinari's own son, Sadaie, could become heir. After training on Mount Kōya, he wandered through the provinces and settled in Saga. In 1201 he was chosen as a compiler of the Shin Kokin Wakashū with Sadaie and others, but he died the following year, 1202.

Autumn (Shin Kokinshū)

村雨むらさめの
露つゆもまだひぬ
まきの葉はに
霧きりたちのぼる
秋あきの夕ゆう暮ぐれ

88

皇嘉門院別当こうかもんいんのべっとうAttendant to Empress Kōka

Role: Court lady

Kamakura

dates unknown

She served Empress Kōka (Fujiwara no Kiyoko), consort of Retired Emperor Sutoku, as her chief attendant (bettō). She composed for the 1175 poetry contest at the house of Minister of the Right Kanezane and the Minister of the Right's hundred-poem sequence of 1178. By 1182, when Empress Kōka died, she had already taken the tonsure.

Love (Senzai Wakashū)

難波江なにわえの
葦あしのかりねの
ひとよゆゑえ
みをつくしてや
恋こひいわたるべき

89

式子内親王しょくしないしんのうPrincess Shikishi

Role: Imperial family, Rank: Sanpon (3rd Princely Rank)

Kamakura

1149–1201

Third daughter of Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa. Appointed High Priestess of the Kamo Shrines in 1159, she was denied freedom in love all her life. After stepping down she lost one family member after another and was even suspected of laying a curse, living a turbulent life. She has 49 poems in the Shin Kokin Wakashū, more than any other woman poet. She died in 1201.

Love (Shin Kokinshū)

玉たまの緒およ
絶たえなば絶たえね
ながらへえば
忍しのぶることの
弱よわりもぞする

90

殷富門院大輔いんぷもんいんのたいふAttendant to Empress Inpu

Role: Court lady

Kamakura

1130 (approx.)–1200 (approx.)

Daughter of Fujiwara no Nobunari, she served Empress Inpu (Inpumon-in), a daughter of Emperor Go-Shirakawa. She was called "Thousand-Poem Taifu" because she composed so many poems. She joined the Juei Hundred-Poem Sequences in 1182 and took the tonsure in 1192 along with Empress Inpu. She died around 1200.

Love (Senzai Wakashū)

見みせばやな
雄島おじまのあまの
袖そでだにも
ぬれにぞぬれし
色いろはかはわらず

91

後京極摂政前太政大臣ごきょうごくせっしょうさきのだいじょうだいじんGokyōgoku Regent and former Chancellor of the Realm

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Junior First Rank

Kamakura

1169–1206

His real name was Kujō Yoshitsune. Grandson of Fujiwara no Tadamichi and second son of Kujō Kanezane, he became head of the Kujō house after his elder brother died young. He became Regent to Emperor Tsuchimikado in 1202 and Chancellor of the Realm in 1204, but died in 1206 at 38, before his father. One theory says he was assassinated.

Autumn (Shin Kokinshū)

きりぎりす
鳴なくや霜夜しもよの
さむしろに
衣ころもかたしき
ひとりかも寝ねむん

92

二条院讃岐にじょういんのさぬきSanuki, attendant to retired Emperor Nijō

Role: Court lady

Kamakura

1141 (approx.)–1217 (approx.)

Daughter of Minamoto no Yorimasa, she served Retired Emperor Nijō and then Gishūmon-in, empress of Emperor Go-Toba. A master of waka, she was ranked alongside Princess Shikishi. In 1180 she lost her father and elder brother, who had joined Prince Mochihito's uprising, and later took the tonsure. She died around 1217.

Love (Senzai Wakashū)

わが袖そでは
潮干しおひに見みえぬ
沖おきの石いしの
人ひとこそ知しらね
かわくまもなし

93

鎌倉右大臣かまくらのうだいじんMinister of the Right of Kamakura

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Second Rank

Kamakura

1192–1219

His real name was Minamoto no Sanetomo. Son of Minamoto no Yoritomo and Hōjō Masako, he became the third shogun of the Kamakura shogunate in 1203 at the age of 12. He loved waka and wished for a peaceful world. His Kinkai Wakashū was compiled around 1213, and he became Minister of the Right in 1218. In 1219 he was assassinated by his nephew Kugyō.

Travel (Shin Chokusen Wakashū)

世よの中なかは
つねにもがもな
渚なぎさこぐ
あまの小舟こぶねの
綱手つなでかなしも

94

参議雅経さんぎまさつねCouncillor Masatsune

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Third Rank

Kamakura

1170–1221

His real name was Fujiwara no Masatsune. A master of kemari, he founded the Asukai school of the game. He studied waka under Fujiwara no Toshinari, became a fellow of the Bureau of Poetry in 1201, and was chosen as one of the compilers of the Shin Kokin Wakashū. He became Councillor in 1220 and died in 1221.

Autumn (Shin Kokinshū)

み吉野よしのの
山やまの秋風あきかぜ
さ夜よふけて
ふるさと寒さむく
衣ころもうつなり

95

前大僧正慈円さきのだいそうじょうじえんFormer Senior High Priest Jien

Role: Monk

Kamakura

1155–1225

Sixth son of Fujiwara no Tadamichi, he entered Shōren-in in 1167 and took the tonsure. He became head of the Tendai sect in 1192 and held the post four times in his life. Around 1220 he wrote the historical treatise Gukanshō, which is thought to have been meant to dissuade Retired Emperor Go-Toba from taking up arms. He died in 1225.

Misc. (Senzai Wakashū)

おほおけなく
憂うき世よの民たみに
おほおふうかな
わがたつ杣そまに
墨染すみぞめの袖そで

96

入道前太政大臣にゅうどうさきのだいじょうだいじんLay Novice and former Chancellor of the Realm

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Junior First Rank

Kamakura

1171–1244

His real name was Saionji Kintsune. He married a niece of Minamoto no Yoritomo and was closely tied to the Kamakura shogunate. In the Jōkyū War he secretly reported Retired Emperor Go-Toba's plans to the shogunate, and he became Chancellor of the Realm in 1222. He built the Saionji temple in Kitayama, reaching the height of prosperity, and died in 1244.

Misc. (Shin Chokusen Wakashū)

花はなさそふう
嵐あらしの庭にわの
雪ゆきならで
ふりゆくものは
わが身みなりけり

97

権中納言定家ごんちゅうなごんさだいえActing Middle Counselor Sadaie

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Senior Second Rank

Kamakura

1162–1241

His real name was Fujiwara no Sadaie (also read Teika). Son of Fujiwara no Toshinari, he is the poet who compiled the Hyakunin Isshu. He was chosen as a compiler of the Shin Kokin Wakashū in 1201 and completed the Shin Chokusen Wakashū in 1235. He also copied The Tale of Genji and other works, passing them down to later generations. He died in 1241.

Love (Shin Chokusen Wakashū)

来こぬ人ひとを
松帆まつほの浦うらの
夕ゆうなぎに
焼やくやもしほの
身みもこがれつつ

98

従二位家隆じゅにいいえたかJunior Second Rank Ietaka

Role: Senior noble, Rank: Junior Second Rank

Kamakura

1158–1237

His real name was Fujiwara no Ietaka. He studied waka under Fujiwara no Toshinari and, with Fujiwara no Sadaie, was a leading figure of the poetry world. He was chosen as a compiler of the Shin Kokin Wakashū in 1201. Even after Retired Emperor Go-Toba was exiled to Oki following the Jōkyū War, he kept writing to him and continued to support him. He died in 1237.

Summer (Shin Chokusen Wakashū)

風かぜそよぐ
ならの小川おがわの
夕暮ぐれは
みそぎぞ夏なつの
しるしなりける

99

後鳥羽院ごとばいんRetired Emperor Go-Toba

Role: Emperor

Kamakura

1180–1239

Son of Emperor Takakura, he took the throne without the Three Sacred Treasures. As if to make up for this, he became accomplished in many fields, waka among them. In 1201 he ordered the compilation of the Shin Kokin Wakashū. Defeated in the Jōkyū War of 1221, he was exiled to Oki and died there.

Misc. (Shoku Gosen Wakashū)

人ひともをし
人ひともうらめし
あぢじきなく
世よを思おもふうゆゑえに
物も思おもふう身みは

100

順徳院じゅんとくいんRetired Emperor Juntoku

Role: Emperor

Kamakura

1197–1242

Third son of Retired Emperor Go-Toba, he took the throne in 1210 at the age of 14. He recorded the ceremonies and customs of the court in the Kinpishō, seeking to show the significance of the imperial court. Defeated with his father in the Jōkyū War of 1221, he was exiled to Sado and died there in 1242.

Misc. (Shoku Gosen Wakashū)

ももしきや
ふるき軒のきばの
しのぶにも
なほおあまりある
昔むかしなりけり