Henjo

• • Period: Heian Period
  • Occupation: Waka Poet, Monk
  • Family: Priest Sosei (son)
  • Birth: 816
  • Death: 890

Henjo

Henjo (遍昭 or 遍照) was a Buddhist monk and poet, entering into religion in 849. Before this he was known as Yoshimine no Munesada (良岑宗貞) and lived between 816 and 890. Before entering into religion he served as Captain of the Imperial Guard under Emperor Ninmyo.

His son Sosei, was also a poet and it is said that Henjo was the one who encouraged him to take up religion.

Within the Tales of Yamato there are many stories which talk about his many lovers and religious conversations that he had.

He is also known to have had a private collection of poetry.

The Kokinshū describes him as accomplished yet lacking in truth. He was included as one of the Six Poetic Geniuses, and one of his poems (No.12) can be found in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu and goes as follows:¹

Footnotes

1. MacMillan, P. (2018) ”One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse”. St. Ives: Penguin Classics.
2. Suzuki, H. et al. (1997) ”Genshoku: Ogura Hyakunin Isshu”. Tokyo: Bun’eidō.

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