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Izumi Shikibu

Type Figure Region Japan Time c. 974–1034 Also known as Izumi Shikibu no Ason、Daini Sanmi

A renowned female poet and writer of the mid-Heian period, hailed as one of Japan's greatest women poets.…

Timeline

  1. 995–1010Heian-kyō · KyotoFamous at court for her beauty and poetic talent, her love affair with Prince Atsuyoshi became the subject of the Izumi Shikibu Diary; during this period she composed a great many love poems, establishing her place in the history of Japanese literature.
  2. 1009–1034Heian-kyō · KyotoRecommended by Fujiwara no Michinaga, she entered the service of Empress Fujiwara no Sadako and continued composing waka. Her works were later included in imperial anthologies such as the Kokin Wakashū and Goshūi Wakashū, making her a model of Heian women's literature.

Sources