Origins & Early Life

Ki no Tsurayuki (紀 貫之; Japanese pronunciation: [kʲiꜜ no | tsɯ.ɾaꜜ.jɯ.kʲi, kʲi no tsɯ.ɾaꜜ.jɯ.kʲi], 872 – June 30, 945) was a Japanese author, poet and court noble of the Heian period. He is best known as the principal compiler of the Kokin Wakashū, also writing its Japanese Preface, and as a possible author of the Tosa Diary, although this was published anonymously. He is well known for his waka poetry and is counted as one of the Thirty-six Poetry Immortals selected by Fujiwara no Kintō; his poetry was included also in the Hyakunin Isshu. As a courtier, he served as Governor of Tosa (930–935), Vice Governor of Kaga (917–923) and Vice Governor of Mino Province (918–923).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Tsurayuki was born in either 866 or 872, the son of Ki no Mochiyuki and a court dancer of the naikyoubou (内教坊), whose name is unknown. He had the childhood name of Akokuso (阿古久曽). In the 890s he became a poet of waka, short poems composed in Japanese. In 905, under the order of Emperor Daigo, he was one of four poets selected to compile the Kokin Wakashū (Kokinshu), the first imperially-sponsored anthology (chokusen-shū) of waka poetry. After holding a few offices in Kyoto, he was appointed governor...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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