← Explore on the interactive map

Ki no Tsurayuki

Type Figure Region Japan Time 872–945 Also known as Ki no Tsurayuki、Ki no Yoshiki

Ki no Tsurayuki (872–945) was an early Heian-period poet and man of letters who compiled the Kokin Wakashū and wrote its kana preface, laying the fou…

Timeline

  1. 872–905Heian-kyō · Kyoto PrefectureKi no Tsurayuki came from the Ki clan and was renowned for poetic talent from an early age, serving in a succession of provincial and central posts. Active in the court poetry circles of Emperors Daigo and Suzaku, he took part in compiling imperial waka anthologies.
  2. c. 905Heian-kyō · Kyoto PrefectureIn 905 he completed by imperial command the compilation of the Kokin Wakashū and wrote its kana preface, proposing that waka should express the intent of 'kotoba no ha' (words) and 'kokoro' (heart), establishing standards of waka criticism that had enormous influence on later anthologies and literary theory.
  3. c. 930–945Tosa Province · Tosa ProvinceHe served as governor of Tosa; after his term ended he traveled by boat back to the capital, recording the journey in the Tosa Diary (935), written in kana in a woman's voice, pioneering Japanese kana diary literature; he died in 945.

Sources