Ki no tsurayuki

Definition

Ki no Tsurayuki was a prominent Japanese poet and courtier of the Heian period, best known for his contributions to waka poetry and his role as a compiler of the Kokin Wakashū. His writings reflect the aesthetic values of the time, emphasizing emotion, nature, and the personal experience, which were foundational elements in various literary genres of premodern Japan.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ki no Tsurayuki is credited with writing the famous poetic diary 'Tosa Nikki', which provides insights into his journey from Tosa to the capital, showcasing both his poetic skill and emotional depth.
2. He played a significant role in shaping the standards for waka poetry during the Heian period, influencing future generations of poets.
3. As a compiler of the Kokin Wakashū, Tsurayuki was instrumental in establishing key themes such as nature and love that became central to the waka tradition.
4. His work emphasizes the importance of subjective experience in poetry, often focusing on personal emotions and reflections related to nature.
5. Tsurayuki's influence extends beyond poetry; he is also known for his essays on poetics, where he outlined principles for composing waka.

Review Questions

• How did Ki no Tsurayuki's poetic style contribute to the development of waka poetry during the Heian period?
  • Ki no Tsurayuki's poetic style significantly contributed to the development of waka by emphasizing emotional expression and subjective experiences within his works. His writings often focused on personal reflections about nature and human emotions, setting a standard for future poets. This focus on individual sentiment allowed for greater depth and connection in waka poetry, shaping its evolution during the Heian period.
• Discuss Ki no Tsurayuki's role in compiling the Kokin Wakashū and its impact on Japanese literature.
  • Ki no Tsurayuki's role in compiling the Kokin Wakashū was pivotal as it became one of the first major imperial anthologies of waka poetry. By selecting poems that emphasized seasonal themes and personal feelings, he established a template for later collections. The Kokin Wakashū not only showcased the beauty of waka but also influenced subsequent poets and laid down principles for poetic expression that resonated throughout Japanese literature.
• Evaluate how Ki no Tsurayuki's contributions to poetic diaries like 'Tosa Nikki' reflect broader themes in premodern Japanese literature.
  • Ki no Tsurayuki's contributions to poetic diaries, particularly 'Tosa Nikki', exemplify broader themes in premodern Japanese literature such as introspection, nature, and the intertwining of personal experience with cultural identity. His use of a narrative structure combined with poetry allows readers to engage deeply with his emotional journey. This blending of genres reflects an important literary trend of the time where personal narratives were valued alongside aesthetic expression, highlighting how individual experiences shaped collective cultural narratives.

Related terms

Waka: A traditional form of Japanese poetry consisting of 31 syllables, often divided into five lines with a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern.

Kokin Wakashū: An imperial poetry anthology compiled in the early 10th century, which includes a wide range of waka poetry that emphasizes seasonal themes and personal feelings.

Poetic Diary: A genre of literature that combines poetry and prose, often reflecting personal experiences and emotions, such as seen in works like Tosa Nikki and Kagerō Nikki.