This is a list of significant

Japanese poetry Japanese poetry is poetry typical of Japan, or written, spoken, or chanted in the Japanese language, which includes Old Japanese, Early Middle Japanese, Late Middle Japanese, and Modern Japanese, as well as poetry in Japan which was written in t ...

anthologies In book publishing Publishing is the activity of making information, literature, music, software and other content available to the public for sale or for free. Traditionally, the term refers to the creation and distribution of printed work ...

Waka Waka may refer to: Culture and language * Waka (canoe), a Polynesian word for canoe; especially, canoes of the Māori of New Zealand Waka ama, a Polynesian outrigger canoe Waka hourua, a Polynesian ocean-going canoe ** Waka taua, a Māori w ...

Starting with the ''

Kokin Wakashū The , commonly abbreviated as , is an early anthology of the ''waka'' form of Japanese poetry, dating from the Heian period. An imperial anthology, it was conceived by Emperor Uda () and published by order of his son Emperor Daigo () in about ...

'', there were 21 official anthologies, known collectively as the .

Nara period The of the history of Japan covers the years from CE 710 to 794. Empress Genmei established the capital of Heijō-kyō (present-day Nara). Except for a five-year period (740–745), when the capital was briefly moved again, it remained the cap ...
chronicles (710 to 794)

*''

Man'yōshū The is the oldest extant collection of Japanese (poetry in Classical Japanese), compiled sometime after AD 759 during the Nara period. The anthology is one of the most revered of Japan's poetic compilations. The compiler, or the last in ...

'' the oldest anthology in Japanese, c.

785 __NOTOC__ Year 785 ( DCCLXXXV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The article denomination 785 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent meth ...

, 20 manuscript scrolls, 4,516 poems (when the tanka envoys to the various chōka are numbered as separate poems),

Ōtomo no Yakamochi was a Japanese statesman and '' waka'' poet in the Nara period. He was one of the ''Man'yō no Go-taika,'' the five great poets of his time, and was part of Fujiwara no Kintō's . Ōtomo was a member of the prestigious Ōtomo clan. Like his g ...

was probably the last to edit the ''Man'yōshū''. It is not organized in any particular way (most

metadata Metadata is "data that provides information about other data", but not the content of the data, such as the text of a message or the image itself. There are many distinct types of metadata, including: * Descriptive metadata – the descriptive ...

is supplied by headnotes), and the poems are written in a Japanese version of the Chinese monosyllabic pronunciation for the Chinese characters.

Heian period The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. It followed the Nara period, beginning when the 50th emperor, Emperor Kanmu, moved the capital of Japan to Heian-kyō (modern Kyoto). means "peace" in Japanese. ...
(794 to 1185)

*Imperial waka anthologies: anthologies as a national project. Each anthology reflected the taste of time and with loyal dignity became canons for contemporaries and those who followed. The earliest three anthologies are often called ''Sandaishū'', Three Major Anthologies, and earliest eight ''Hachidaishū'', Eight Major Anthologies. Twenty one Imperial anthologies were created: they are collectively known as the '' Nijūichidaishū''. *#''

'' the first imperial waka anthology, 20 scrolls, 1,111 poems, ordered by

Emperor Daigo was the 60th emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 醍醐天皇 (60)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Daigo's reign spanned the years from 897 through 930. He is named after his place of burial. Ge ...

and completed c. 905, compiled by

Ki no Tsurayuki 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 publishe ...

Ki no Tomonori Ki no Tomonori (紀友則) (c. 850 – c. 904) was an early Heian ''waka'' poet of the court, a member of the ''sanjūrokkasen'' or Thirty-six Poetry Immortals. He was a compiler of the ''Kokin Wakashū'', though he certainly did not see it to ...

Ōshikōchi no Mitsune Ōshikōchi no Mitsune (凡河内躬恒) was an early Heian administrator and ''waka'' poet of the Japanese court (859– 925), and a member of the Thirty-six Poetry Immortals. He was sent as the governor of Kai, Izumi and Awaji provinces, a ...

and

Mibu no Tadamine Mibu no Tadamine (壬生忠岑) was an early Heian '' waka'' poet of the court (active 898–920), and a member of the ''sanjūrokkasen'' or Thirty-six Poetry Immortals. His son Mibu no Tadami was also a distinguished poet. He emerged as an i ...

. *#''

Gosen Wakashū The , often abbreviated as ''Gosenshū'' ("Later Collection"), is an imperial anthology of Japanese waka compiled in 951 at the behest of Emperor Murakami by the Five Men of the Pear Chamber: Ōnakatomi no Yoshinobu (922-991), Kiyohara no Motosuke ...

'' 20 scrolls, 1,426 poems, ordered in

951 Year 951 ( CMLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * King Berengar II of Italy seizes Liguria, with help from the feudal lord Oberto I. He re ...

Emperor Murakami was the 62nd emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 村上天皇 (62)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Murakami's reign spanned the years from 946 to his death in 967. Biography Before he ascended to ...

*#''

Shūi Wakashū The , often abbreviated as ''Shūishū'', is the third imperial anthology of waka from Heian period Japan. It was compiled by Emperor Kazan in about 1005.Keene 1999 : 283 Its twenty volumes contain 1,351 poems. The details of its publication and ...

'' 20 scrolls, 1,351 poems, ordered by ex-

Emperor Kazan was the 65th emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 花山天皇 (65)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Kazan's reign spanned the years from 984 through 986. Biography Before his ascension to the Chrysan ...

*#''

Goshūi Wakashū :''"The language of poetry should be like brocade and the feeling deeper than the ocean."'' -from Michitoshi's Preface The , sometimes abbreviated as ''Goshūishū'', is an imperial anthology of Japanese waka compiled in 1086 at the behest of ...

'' 20 scrolls, approx 1,200 poems, Ordered in

1075 Year 1075 ( MLXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Africa * The Kingdom of Mapungubwe is established, in modern-day South Africa. Byzantine Empire ...

Emperor Shirakawa was the 72nd emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 白河天皇 (72)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Shirakawa's reign lasted from 1073 to 1087. Genealogy Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Th ...

, completed in 1086. *#''

Kin'yō Wakashū The , sometimes abbreviated as ''Kin'yōshū'', is a Japanese imperial anthology of waka whose two drafts were finished in 1124 and 1127. It was compiled at the behest of the Retired Emperor Shirakawa, by Minamoto no Shunrai (~1055–1129; somet ...

'' 10 scrolls, 716 poems, ordered by former Emperor Shirakawa, drafts completed 1124–1127, compiled by

Minamoto no Shunrai was an important and innovative Japanese poet, who compiled the ''Gosen Wakashū''. He was the son of Minamoto no Tsunenobu (1016–1097); holder of the second rank in court and of the position of Grand Counsellor). Shunrai was favored by Empero ...

(

Toshiyori A is a sumo elder of the Japan Sumo Association (JSA). Also known as , former wrestlers who reached a sufficiently high rank are the only people eligible. The benefits are considerable, as only ''toshiyori'' are allowed to run and coach in su ...

) *#''

Shika Wakashū , abbreviated as ''Shikashū'', is an imperial anthology of Japanese waka, compiled c.1151–1154 CE at the behest of the Emperor Sutoku who ordered it in 1144. It was compiled by Fujiwara no Akisuke (1090–1155; a member of the Rokujō ...

'' 10 scrolls, 411 poems, ordered in 1144 by former

Emperor Sutoku was the 75th emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 崇徳天皇 (75)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Sutoku's reign spanned the years from 1123 through 1142. Genealogy Before his ascension to the Chry ...

, completed c. 1151–1154, compiled by Fujiwara Akisuke ( :ja:藤原顕輔) *#''

Senzai Wakashū , often abbreviated as ''Senzaishū'', is an imperial anthology of Japanese waka poetry. It was compiled in 1187 by Fujiwara no Shunzei at the behest of the Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, who ordered it in 1183. It consists of twenty volumes ...

'' 20 scrolls, 1,285 poems, ordered by former

Emperor Go-Shirakawa was the 77th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His de jure reign spanned the years from 1155 through 1158, though arguably he effectively maintained imperial power for almost thirty-seven years through the ''ins ...

, probably completed in 1188, compiled by

Fujiwara no Shunzei was a Japanese poet, courtier, and Buddhist monk of the late Heian period. He was also known as Fujiwara no Toshinari"...there is the further problem, the rendition of the name in romanized form. Teika probably referred to himself as Sadaie, and ...

(also known as ''Toshinari'') *#''

Shin Kokin Wakashū The , also known in abbreviated form as the or even conversationally as the Shin Kokin, is the eighth imperial anthology of waka poetry compiled by the Japanese court, beginning with the ''Kokin Wakashū'' circa 905 and ending with the ''Shinshok ...

'' the eighth imperial waka anthology. Its name apparently aimed to show the relation and counterpart to Kokin Wakashū, ordered in 1201 by former Emperor Go-Toba, compiled by

Fujiwara no Teika , better-known as Fujiwara no Teika"Sadaie" and "Teika" are both possible readings of ; "...there is the further problem, the rendition of the name in romanized form. Teika probably referred to himself as Sadaie, and his father probably called ...

(whose first name is sometimes romanized as ''Sadaie''),

Fujiwara Ariie Fujiwara (, written: 藤原 lit. "''Wisteria'' field") is a Japanese surname. (In English conversation it is likely to be rendered as .) Notable people with the surname include: ; Families * The Fujiwara clan and its members ** Fujiwara no Kamatari ...

( :ja:藤原有家),

Fujiwara no Ietaka was an early Kamakura period Japanese waka Waka may refer to: Culture and language * Waka (canoe), a Polynesian word for canoe; especially, canoes of the Māori of New Zealand ** Waka ama, a Polynesian outrigger canoe ** Waka hourua, a Polynes ...

(Karyū), the priest

Jakuren (also known as Fujiwara no Sadanaga (藤原定長) before becoming a monk) (1139–1202) was a Japanese Buddhist priest and poet. He was adopted by the noted poet Fujiwara no Shunzei upon the death of Shunzei's younger brother. Shunzei original ...

Minamoto Michitomo was one of the surnames bestowed by the Emperors of Japan upon members of the imperial family who were excluded from the line of succession and demoted into the ranks of the nobility from 1192 to 1333. The practice was most prevalent during the ...

( :ja:堀川通具), and

Asukai Masatsune was a Japanese ''waka (poetry), waka'' poet of the early Kamakura period.''Britannica Kokusai Dai-hyakkajiten'' article "Asukai Masatsune". 2007. Britannica Japan Co.''Digital Daijisen'' entr"Asukai Masatsune" Shogakukan. He was also an accompli ...

*Private editions - Most of waka poets have their own anthology edited by self or by another. They were one of sources of the imperial anthologies. **''Hitomarokashū'' An anthology of

Kakinomoto no Hitomaro Kakinomoto no Hitomaro (柿本人麻呂 or 柿本人麿; – ) was a Japanese ''waka'' poet and aristocrat of the late Asuka period. He was the most prominent of the poets included in the ''Man'yōshū'', the oldest ''waka'' anthology, but ap ...

works. The editor is unknown. Perhaps edited in the early Heian period. Many misattributed waka are included. **''Tsurayukishū'' An anthology of

works, one of editors of ''Kokin Wakashū''. **''Kintōshū'' An anthology of

Fujiwara no Kintō , also known as Shijō-dainagon, was a Japanese poet, admired by his contemporaries "... Fujiwara no Kinto (966–1008), the most admired poet of the day." pg 283 of Donald Keene's ''Seeds in the Heart''. and a court bureaucrat of the Heian pe ...

, the editor of ''

Wakan Rōeishū The is an anthology of Chinese poems (Jp. ''kanshi ''漢詩) and 31-syllable Japanese waka (Jp. ''tanka'' 短歌) for singing to fixed melodies (the melodies are now extinct). The text was compiled by Fujiwara no Kintō ca. 1013. It contains 58 ...

''. It gave influence to the waka poetry in the middle Heian period. **''

Hyakunin Isshu is a classical Japanese anthology of one hundred Japanese ''waka'' by one hundred poets. ''Hyakunin isshu'' can be translated to "one hundred people, one poem ach; it can also refer to the card game of ''uta-garuta'', which uses a deck compos ...

'', or more precisely ''Ogura Hyakunin Isshu''. Edited by

. Till Meiji it had been read as elementary book for waka poets. **''Fujiwara no Teika Kashū'' An anthology of

works. **''Izumi Shikibu Shū''

Kamakura period The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first ''shōgun'' Minamoto no Yoritomo after the conclusion of the Genpei War, which saw the struggle bet ...
(1185–1333) and
Muromachi period The is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga shogunate (''Muromachi bakufu'' or ''Ashikaga bakufu''), which was officially established in 1338 by t ...
(1336–1573)

*Imperial anthologies - thirteen anthologies were edited mostly in the Kamakura period. ::9. ''

Shinchokusen Wakashū , abbreviated as ''Shinchokusenshū'', is an imperial anthology of Japanese waka, initially compiled in ~1234 CE at the behest of the Retired Emperor Go-Horikawa. It was compiled by Fujiwara no Teika (who also wrote its Japanese preface). It consi ...

'' ::10. ''

Shokugosen Wakashū The ("Later Collection Continued") was an imperial anthology of Japanese waka poetry. It was finished in 1251 CE, three years after the Retired Emperor Go-Saga first ordered it in 1248. It was compiled by Fujiwara no Tameie, son of Fujiwara no T ...

'' ::11. ''

Shokukokin Wakashū The is a Japanese imperial anthology of Waka (poetry), waka, a type of poetry in classical Japanese literature. It was finished in 1265 CE, six years after the Daijō-tennō, Retired Emperor Go-Saga first ordered it in 1259. It was compiled by Fu ...

'' ::12. ''

Shokushūi Wakashū The is a Japanese imperial anthology of waka (poetry), waka poetry. It was finished in about 1278 CE, two years after the Daijō-tennō, Retired Emperor Emperor Kameyama, Kameyama first ordered it around 1276. It was compiled by Fujiwara no Tameuj ...

'' ::13. ''

Shingosen Wakashū The , often abbreviated as ''Shingosenshū'', is an imperial anthology of Japanese waka poetry. The title is in opposition to the previous '' Gosen Wakashū''. It was completed in 1303, two years after the Retired Emperor Go-Uda first ordered. It ...

'' ::14. ''

Gyokuyō Wakashū was an imperial anthology of Japanese waka poetry. The work was completed somewhere between 1313 and 1314, two or three years after the Retired Emperor Fushimi first ordered it around 1311. The anthology was compiled by Fujiwara no Tamekane, a ...

'' ::15. ''

Shokusenzai Wakashū The is a Japanese imperial anthology of waka (poetry), waka poetry. It was finished somewhere around 1320 CE, two years after the Daijō-tennō, Retired Emperor Go-Uda first ordered it in 1318. It was compiled by Fujiwara no Tameyo (who also comp ...

'' ::16. ''

Shokugoshūi Wakashū The , is a Japanese imperial anthology of waka (poetry), waka poetry. It was finished somewhere around 1325 or 1326 CE, two or three years after the Daijō-tennō, Retired Emperor Go-Daigo first ordered it in 1323. It was compiled initially by Fuji ...

'' ::17. ''

Fūga Wakashū The , also abbreviated as the was an imperial anthology of Japanese waka; it was compiled somewhere between 1344 and 1346 CE, by Emperor Hanazono, who also wrote its Chinese and Japanese Prefaces. It consists of twenty volumes containing 2,210 ...

'' ::18. ''

Shinsenzai Wakashū The , sometimes abbreviated as Shinsenzaishū, a title which recollects the ''Senzai Wakashū'', is an imperial anthology of Japanese waka. The title is in opposition to the prior Senzai Wakashū. It was completed in 1359, three years after being ...

'' ::19. ''

Shinshūi Wakashū , occasionally abbreviated as ''Shinshūishū'', a title which recollects the ''Shūi Wakashū'', is the 19th imperial anthology of Japanese waka poetry. It was finished late in 1364 CE, a year after Emperor Go-Kōgon first ordered it in 1363 at ...

'' ::20. ''

Shingoshūi Wakashū , abbreviated as ''Shingoshūishū'', a title which recollects the ''Goshūi Wakashū'' and the '' Shinshūi Wakashū'', is an imperial anthology of Japanese waka poetry. It was finished somewhere around 1383 CE (and revised in 1384), eight year ...

'' ::21. ''

Shinshokukokin Wakashū The was an imperial anthology of Japanese waka; it was finished somewhere around 1439 CE, six years after the Emperor Go-Hanazono first ordered it in 1433 at the request of the Ashikaga Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshinori. It was compiled by Asukai Mas ...

Renga ''Renga'' (, ''linked verse'') is a genre of Japanese collaborative poetry in which alternating stanzas, or ''ku (''句), of 5-7-5 and 7-7 mora (sound units, not to be confused with syllables) per line are linked in succession by multiple poets. ...

*''

Renri Hishō ( ''A Secret Treatise of Renga Principles'') is a text on renga poetics. It was written by Nijō Yoshimoto around 1349. It had a great influence on the development of renga.Miner, Earl Roy, ''Japanese linked poetry'', Princeton University Press, 1 ...

'' (c. 1349), a treatise on renga poetics by

Nijō Yoshimoto , son of regent Nijō Michihira, was a Japanese ''kugyō'' (court noble), waka poet, and renga master of the early Nanboku-chō period (1336–1392). Yoshimoto's wife gave birth to Nijō Moroyoshi. With another woman, he had sons Nijō Morots ...

*''

Tsukubashū was the first imperial anthology of ''renga''. The collection was compiled by Nijō Yoshimoto. Provincial lord Sasaki Takauji played an active role in its production with 81 of his poems appearing in the final version. In addition to courtly renga ...

'' (1356) edited by

. Given the status of ''imperial anthology'' after compilation. *''Shinsentsukubashū'' (1470) Edited by

Sōgi Iio Sōgi, (or Inō Sōgi) generally known as , was a Japanese poet. He came from a humble family from the province of Kii or Ōmi, and died in Hakone on September 1, 1502. Sōgi was a Zen monk from the Shokokuji temple in Kyoto and he studied ...

Haikai and
Haiku is a type of short form poetry originally from Japan. Traditional Japanese haiku consist of three phrases that contain a ''kireji'', or "cutting word", 17 '' on'' (phonetic units similar to syllables) in a 5, 7, 5 pattern, and a ''kigo'', or se ...

*''Shinseninutsukubashū'' (1532) Edited by Yamazaki Sōkan. The significant anthology of early haikai renga from which

haiku is a type of short form poetry originally from Japan. Traditional Japanese haiku consist of three phrases that contain a ''kireji'', or "cutting word", 17 '' on'' (phonetic units similar to syllables) in a 5, 7, 5 pattern, and a ''kigo'', or se ...

later developed. * ''

Kai Ōi is a 1672 anthology compiled by Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō, in which each haiku is followed by critical commentary he made as referee for a haiku contest.Jestice, Phyllis G. (2004). ''Holy people of the world: a cross-cultural encyclopedia.'' ...

'' (The Seashell Game). 1672 hokku anthology, compiled by

Matsuo Bashō born then was the most famous poet of the Edo period in Japan. During his lifetime, Bashō was recognized for his works in the collaborative '' haikai no renga'' form; today, after centuries of commentary, he is recognized as the greatest ma ...

*''Haikai Shichibushū'' The conventional name for seven anthologies collecting Matsuo Bashō and his disciples'

renku , or , is a Japanese form of popular collaborative linked verse poetry. It is a development of the older Japanese poetic tradition of ''ushin'' renga, or orthodox collaborative linked verse. At renku gatherings participating poets take turns provi ...

. **''Fuyunohi'' (A Winter Day) **''Harunohi'' (A Spring Day) **''Arano'' (Wilderness) **''Hisago''　(Gourd) **''

Sarumino is a 1691 anthology, considered the ''magnum opus'' of Bashō-school poetry.Shirane 1998, 20 It contains four kasen renku as well as some 400 hokku, collected by Nozawa Bonchō and Mukai Kyorai under the supervision of Matsuo Bashō.Mayhew 1985 ...

'' (Monkey's Straw Raincoat) **''Sumidawara'' (Carbon Carton) **''Zokusarumino'' (Monkey's Straw Raincoat II)

Kanshi

*''

Kaifūsō The is the earliest extant poetry anthology of literary Sinitic ('' kanshi'') written by Japanese poets. It was compiled in 751. In the brief introduction of the poets, the unknown writer seems sympathetic to Emperor Kōbun and his regents who ...

'' ( 751) the oldest collection of

Chinese poetry Chinese poetry is poetry written, spoken, or chanted in the Chinese language. While this last term comprises Classical Chinese, Standard Chinese, Mandarin Chinese, Yue Chinese, and other historical and vernacular forms of the language, its poetry ...

('' kanshi'') written by Japanese poets *Imperial anthologies - Advancing the Imperial waka anthologies, the earliest imperial anthologies gathered Kanshi, the Chinese poetry which Japanese learned from the

Tang Dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an Zhou dynasty (690–705), interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dyn ...

. Three anthologies were edited in the early

Heian period The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. It followed the Nara period, beginning when the 50th emperor, Emperor Kanmu, moved the capital of Japan to Heian-kyō (modern Kyoto). means "peace" in Japanese. ...

: *#''

Ryōunshū The was the first imperially commissioned Japanese kanshi collection. It was compiled by Ono no Minemori, Sugawara no Kiyotomo and others under the command of Emperor Saga was the 52nd emperor of Japan, Emperor Saga, Saganoyamanoe Imperial ...

'' *#''

Bunka Shūreishū is the second imperially commissioned Japanese kanshi collection. The text was compiled by Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu, Sugawara no Kiyotomo, Nakao Ō, Isayama no Fumitugu, Shigeno no Sadanushi, and Kuwahara no Haraaka under the command of Emperor ...

'' *#''

Keikokushū The was the third imperially commissioned anthology of kanshi (poetry written in classical Chinese by Japanese poets). The text was compiled by Yoshimine no Yasuyo, Minabuchi no Hirosada, Sugawara no Kiyotomo, Yasuno no Fumitugu, Shigeno no ...

Miscellaneous

*''

Wakan rōeishū The is an anthology of Chinese poems (Jp. ''kanshi ''漢詩) and 31-syllable Japanese waka (Jp. ''tanka'' 短歌) for singing to fixed melodies (the melodies are now extinct). The text was compiled by Fujiwara no Kintō ca. 1013. It contains 58 ...

'' A collection of ''waka'' and ''kanshi'' for reciting. Compiled by

Waka Waka may refer to: Culture and language * Waka (canoe), a Polynesian word for canoe; especially, canoes of the Māori of New Zealand ** Waka ama, a Polynesian outrigger canoe ** Waka hourua, a Polynesian ocean-going canoe ** Waka taua, a Māori w ...

Nara period The of the history of Japan covers the years from CE 710 to 794. Empress Genmei established the capital of Heijō-kyō (present-day Nara). Except for a five-year period (740–745), when the capital was briefly moved again, it remained the cap ... chronicles (710 to 794)

Heian period The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. It followed the Nara period, beginning when the 50th emperor, Emperor Kanmu, moved the capital of Japan to Heian-kyō (modern Kyoto). means "peace" in Japanese. ... (794 to 1185)