Wiki Category: People

Period: Legendary Period Occupation: Family: Haji Clan (descendants) Amenohohi (ancestor) Others see below. Birth: Death: Umashikaraine Umashikaraine (可美乾飯根) is an ancient ancestor to the Haji Clan, some branches of the family claiming descent from him instead of others such as Iirine and Nomi no Sukune (who in the Nihongi is[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Family: Sugawara Clan Birth: Death: Sugawara no Tsuratsune Sugawara no Tsuratsune (菅原陳經) was a member of the Sugawara Clan living during the Heian Period. In 1106 he compiled the Kanke Godenki in which he tries to rectify several contradictory points of their families history.1 Footnotes 1.[...]

Period: Kofun Period Occupation: muraji Family: Nomi no Sukune (great-grandfather) Birth: Death: Haji no Mino Haji no Mino (土師 身臣) was a member of the Haji Clan and great-grandson of Nomi no Sukune living during the reign of Emperor Nintoku. He was granted the title of muraji during Nintoku’s reign, according[...]

Period: Legendary Period Occupation: Sumo Wrestler, Master Potter Family: Haji Clan (descendants) Haji no Mino (great-grandson) Amenohohi (ancestor) Others see below. Birth: Death: Nomi no Sukune Nomi no Sukune (野見 宿禰) was said to have been a descendant of the kami Amenohohi in the 14th generation and great-grandfather to Haji[...]

See also: Haji no Mimichi Poems Period: Nara Period Occupation: Poet Family: Sugawara no Michizane (descendant) Birth: Death: Haji no Mimichi Haji no Mimichi (土師 水通 / 土師 御通) was a member of the Haji Clan living during the Nara Period. In the Haji Clan he is seen as the[...]

See also: Kobayashi Issa Poems Period: Edo Period Occupation: Haiku Poet Family: Kiku (wife) 8 children Birth: 1763 Death: 1827 Kobayashi Issa Kobayashi Issa (小林 一茶) was a renowned haiku poet living from 1763 to 1827.1234 He went by other names in his life such as Kobayashi Yatarō and Kobayashi[...]

Affiliation: Shinto Kami of: Family: Mizokuhi (wife) Himetatara Isuzuhime (daughter) Isuzuyorihime (daughter) Kamo no Ōkimi (son) Kotoshironushi Kotoshironushi (事代主神) is a Shinto kami seen in the Nihongi as husband to Mizokuhi and father of Himetatara Isuzuhime (wife of Emperor Jimmu). It is said he was transformed into a Wani before joining[...]

Affiliation: Shinto Kami of: Family: Ōmiwa (father?) Kotoshironushi (father) Mizokuhi (mother) Emperor Jimmu (husband) Emperor Suizei (son) Isuzuyorihime (sister) Kamo no Ōkimi (brother) Himetatara Isuzuhime Himetatara Isuzuhime (媛蹈鞴五十鈴媛) is a Shinto kami said in one version of the Nihongi to have been the daughter of Ōmiwa. In another version she is[...]

Affiliation: Shinto Kami of: Family: Amenofuyukinu (father) Sashikuniwakahime (mother) Susano-o (ancestor) Yamatotohime (wife) Ikutamayoribime (wife) Kushimigata (son) Ohotataneko (descendant) Ōkuninushi Ōkuninushi (大国主神 – Great Land Master1) is a Shinto kami. Family The kojiki states he is the son of Amenofuyukinu and Sashikuniwakahime, due to this he is a decendant of Susano-o.1[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Family: Fujiwara no Michinaga (father) Fujiwara no Kenshi (sister) Fujiwara no Shōshi (sister) Fujiwara no Sonshi (sister) Fujiwara no Kanshi (sister) Fujiwara no Seishi (sister) Fujiwara no Kishi (sister) Fujiwara no Nagaie (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshinobu (brother) Fujiwara no Yorimune (brother) Fujiwara no Norimichi (brother) Fujiwara no[...]

Period: Heian Period / Kamakura Period Occupation: Stateman Family: Konoe Motomichi (father) Konoe Kanetsune (son) Konoe Chōshi (daughter) Takatsukasa Kanehira (son) Birth: 1180AD Death: 1283AD Konoe Iezane Konoe Iezane (近衞 家実) was a member of the Kanoe Family, a descendant of the Fujiwara Clan, and held the position of Stateman during[...]

Period: Kamakura Period Occupation: Poet Family: – Birth: 1192AD Death: 1264AD Fujiwara no Ienaga Fujiwara no Ienaga (藤原家長) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan living from 1192AD to 1264AD. He was a poet in his lifetime who composed the Zoku Kokin Wakashū in 1265.1 Footnotes 1. Louis Frederic, translated[...]

Period: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Umakai (father) Fujiwara no Momokawa (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu (brother) Fujiwara no Kiyonari (brother) Fujiwara no Kurajimaro (brother) Birth: 715 Death: 740AD Fujiwara no Hirotsugu Fujiwara no Hirotsugu (藤原 広嗣) was a member of the Fujwiara Clan, and leader of the Shikike Branch,[...]

Period: Muromachi Period Occupation: Painter Family: Birth: ? Death: ? Fujiwara no Gōshin Fujiwara no Gōshin (藤原 豪信?) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan living around the late 15th Century. He was born to a courtesan and a monk and became a painter of the Yamato-e style. One of[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Lord of Mutsu Province Family: Fujiwara no Yasuhira (son) Fujiwara no Motohira (father) Fujiwara no Kiyohira (grandfather) Birth: 1096AD Death: 1187AD Fujiwara no Hidehira Fujiwara no Hidehira (藤原 秀衡) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Ōshū-Fujiwara, living from 1096-1187AD. He was the[...]

Period: Nara Period Occupation: Dazai no Sōtsu Family: Fujiwara no Maro (father) Fujiwara no Toyohiko (son) Fujiwara no Okikaze (great-grandson) Birth: 724AD Death: 790AD Fujiwara no Hamanari Fujiwara no Hamanari (藤原 浜成) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Kyōke branch, living from 724-790AD.1 In 781 he recieved[...]

Period: Asuka Period / Nara Period Occupation: Family: Fujiwara no Fubito (father) Fujiwara no Nagate (son) Fujiwara no Matate (son) Fujiwara no Kiyokawa (son) Fujiwara no Torikai (son) Fujiwara no Uona (son) Fujiwara no Miyako (sister) Fujiwara no Asukabehime (sister) Fujiwara no Muchimaro (brother) Fujiwara no Umakai (brother) Fujiwara no[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Empress Family: Emperor Ichijō (husband) Emperor Go-Ichijō (son) Emperor Go-Suzaku (son) Fujiwara no Michinaga (father) Minamoto no Rinshi (mother) Fujiwara no Kenshi (sister) Fujiwara no Ishi (sister) Fujiwara no Sonshi (sister) Fujiwara no Kanshi (sister) Fujiwara no Seishi (sister) Fujiwara no Kishi (sister) Fujiwara no Nagaie (brother)[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Sadaijin Family: Fujiwara no Kanemichi (father) Fujiwara no Enshi (daughter) Fujiwara no Koshi (sister) Fujiwara no Tokimitsu (brother) Fujiwara no Asateru (brother) Birth: 944AD Death: 1021AD Fujiwara no Akimitsu Fujiwara no Akimitsu (藤原 顕光) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan living from 944-1021AD. More specifically,[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Monjō Hakase, Poet Family: Fujiwara no Atsumoto (son) Fujiwara no Atsumitsu (son) Birth: 989AD Death: 1066AD Fujiwara no Akihira Fujiwara no Akihira (藤原 明衡) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan living from 989-1066.12 He was the father of two sons Atsumoto and Atsumitsu and during[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Monjō Hakase, Poet Family: Fujiwara no Akihira (father) Fujiwara no Atsumoto (brother) Birth: 1062AD Death: 1144AD Fujiwara no Atsumitsu Fujiwara no Atsumitsu (藤原 敦光) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan living from 1062-1144. He was the son of Fujiwara no Akihira and brother to Fujiwara no[...]

Fujiwara no Enshi can refer to two people with the same name. Daughter of Akimitsu Period: Heian Period Occupation: Family: Fujiwara no Akimitsu (father) Birth: 944AD Death: 1021AD Fujiwara no Enshi was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this clan. She was the daughter[...]

Period: Heian Period / Kamakura Period Occupation: Poets Family: Birth: 1155AD Death: 1216AD Fujiwara no Ariie Fujiwara no Ariie (藤原 有家) lived from 1155 to 1216 and was a renowned poet.1 He was a part of the Bureau of Poetry and helped alongside five others in the compilation of the Shin-Kokinshū.1 Footnotes[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Poets Family: Fujiwara no Akihira (father) Fujiwara no Atsumitsu (brother) Birth: – Death: – Fujiwara no Atsumoto Fujiwara no Atsumoto was a member of the Fujiwara Clan. He was the son of Fujiwara no Akihira and brother to Fujiwara no Atsumitsu and was a renowned poet.1[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Udajin, Sadaijin Family: Fujiwara no Yamakage (grandfather) Birth: 891AD Death: 970AD Fujiwara no Arihira Fujiwara no Arihira (藤原 在衡) was the grandson of Fujiwara no Yamakage. Living from 891-970 he served as Udajin and later Sadaijin. He also was known as Awada no Sadaijin.1 Footnotes 1.[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Statesman, Poet, Musician Family: Fujiwara no Tokihira (father) Fujiwara no Akitada (brother) Fujiwara no Yasutada (brother) Fujiwara no Hōshi (sister) Birth: 906AD Death: 943AD Fujiwara no Atsutada Fujiwara no Atsutada (藤原敦忠) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this clan. He was[...]

Period: Edo Period Occupation: Hatamoto Family: – Birth: – Death: – Hotta Masanobu Hotta Masanobu (堀田 正信) was a hatamoto1 of Shimōsa Province.2 Within the province he ruled over the village of Kozu and heavily taxed all the residents of the Province for their rice causing almost all to be[...]

Period: Edo Period Occupation: Peasant Family: Wife and 4 children. Birth: Death: September 24th 1653 Sakura Sōgorō Sakura Sōgorō (佐倉 惣五郎) also known as Kiuchi Sōgorō (木内 惣五郎) was a peasant living in the village of Kozu, now close to modern day Narita.1 At the time this was in the[...]

Ryokō yōjinshū The Ryokō yōjinshū (旅行用心集) was a travel guide published in 1810, written by Yasumi Roan. Chapter themes are included below with choice examples from each one: Introduction from the author. Sixty One tips on travel. You should not reach out your hands for fruit grown in gardens at[...]

Period: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: – Birth: – Death: – Izumo no Omi Hiroshima Izumo no Omi Hiroshima (出雲臣廣嶋) was one of the two compilers of the Izumo Fudoki. He was kuni no miyatsuko of Izumo Province, and district leader (dairyō) of the Ou District.1 Footnotes 1. Carlqvist, A.[...]

Period: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: – Birth: – Death: – Miyake no Omi Kanatari Miyake no Omi Kanatari (神宅臣金太理) was one of the two compilers of the Izumo Fudoki. It is likely he was well versed in Chinese classical literature from the style of Fudoki. He was a local[...]

First Ruler: – Final Ruler: Takeda Katusyori Dissolution: Suicide of Katsuyori in 1582. Cadet Branches: Aki, Kai, Wakasa For a full list of Japanese Clans see: Clans. Takeda Clan The Takeda Clan (武田氏) was a prominent clan and military house during the Kamakura, Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama Periods, taking their name[...]

Period: Muromachi Period / Azuchi-Momoyama Occupation: daimyo Family: Takeda Shingen (father) Birth: 1546AD Death: 1582AD Takeda Katsuyori Takeda Katsuyori (武田 勝頼), also known as Takeda Shirō, was a daimyo and member of the Kai branch of the Takeda Clan.12 As daimyo he ruled over the Kai, Shinano, Suruga and Kōzuke Provinces,[...]

Period: Muromachi Period Occupation: shugo / daimyo Family: Takeda Nobutora (father) Takeda Katsuyori (son) Birth: 1521AD Death: 1573AD Takeda Shingen Takeda Shingen (武田 信玄) was a daimyo of Kai Province living from 1521-73. Also going by the name of Takeda Harunobu, he was from long line of shugo of this[...]

Period: Muromachi Period/Azuchi-Momoyama Period Occupation: shugo Family: Takeda Shingen (son) Birth: 1498AD Death: 1574AD Takeda Nobutora Takeda Nobutora (武田 信虎) was from the Kai branch of the Takeda Family living from 1498-1574.1 His son Takeda Shingen displaced him in 1541.12 He was from long line of shugo of Kai Province[...]

Period: Muromachi Period/Azuchi-Momoyama Period Occupation: Family: Birth: 1552AD Death: 1582AD Takeda Motoaki Takeda Motoaki (武田 元明) was a member of the ‘Wakasa branch’ of the Takeda Clan, living from 1552 to 1582. After the assassination of Oda Nobunaga he sided with the assassin Akechi Mitsuhide, however he was eventually captured[...]

Period: Kamakura Period Occupation: Family: Takeda Nobumitsu Birth: – Death: 1186AD Takeda Nobuyoshi Takeda Nobuyoshi  (武田 信吉) was the father of Takeda Nobumitsu, a member of the ‘Kai Branch’ of the Takeda Clan. He fought in the Taira-Minamoto war for Minamoto no Yorimoto and died in 1186.1 Footnotes 1. Kodansha.[...]

Period: Kamakura Period Occupation: Shugo Family Takeda Nobuyoshi (father) Birth: – Death: 1248AD Takeda Nobumitsu Takeda Nobumitsu (武田信光) was a member of the Takeda Clan and son of Takeda Nobuyoshi. He is known to have died in 1248AD. In 1221, for the Kamakura Shogunate, he aided them during the Jōkyū[...]

Co-ordinates: 35° 48′ 25.9″ N, 138° 51′ 20.6″ E Region: Chūbu Region Prefecture: Yamanashi Prefecture Oiran Buchi Oiran Buchi (花魁淵/おいらん淵 – The Courtesan’s Abyss) is a gorge/waterfall located in Yamanashi Prefecture. The area is known from an event from around the 1570’s (Sengoku Period) involving the Takeda Clan at the time. During the Sengoku Period, to[...]

Period: Nara Period, Heian Period Occupation: sadaijin, poet Family: Fujiwara no Uchimaro (father) Fujiwara no Yoshifusa (son) Fujiwara no Junshi (daughter) Fujiwara no Nagara (son) Fujiwara no Yoshisuke (son) Fujiwara no Yoshikado (son) Fujiwara no Koshi (daughter) Fujiwara no Yoshiyo (son) Fujiwara no Manatsu (brother) Fujiwara no Onatsu (sister) Birth: 775AD Death:[...]

Fujiwara no Junshi can refer to two people with the same name. Daughter of Fuyutsugu Period: Heian Period Occupation: Family: Emperor Ninmyō (husband) Emperor Montoku (son) Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu (father) Fujiwara no Yoshifusa (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshiyo (brother) Fujiwara no Nagara (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshisuke (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshikado (brother)[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: dajō daijin, sesshō Family: Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu (father) Fujiwara no Akirakeiko (daughter) Emperor Seiwa (grandson) Fujiwara no Mototsune (adopted son) Fujiwara no Yoshiyo (brother) Fujiwara no Junshi (sister) Fujiwara no Nagara (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshisuke (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshikado (brother) Fujiwara no Koshi (sister) Birth: 804AD Death:[...]

Mujina Mujina (貉) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien and are known to be shapeshifters like the tanuki or kitsune. One story involving this creature details how it liked to take the form of a monk and would perform devotions everyday[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Family: Emperor Montoku (Husband/Cousin) Fujiwara no Yoshifusa (father) Fujiwara no Junshi (aunt) Birth: 829AD Death: 900AD Fujiwara no Akirakeiko Fujiwara no Akirakeiko (藤原 明子) also known as Fujiwara no Akiko1 and Fujiwara no Meishi2 was a member of the Fujiwara Clan (more specifically the Hokke Branch).[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: sesshō, kampaku Family: Fujiwara no Kaneie (father) Takashina no Takako (wife) Fujiwara no Teishi (daughter) Fujiwara no Korechika (son) Fujiwara no Takaie (son) Fujiwara no Michikane (brother) Fujiwara no Michitsuna (brother) Fujiwara no Michinaga (brother) Fujiwara no Senshi (sister) Fujiwara no Suishi (sister) Fujiwara no Chōshi (sister) Birth: 954AD Death:[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Waka Poet, Udaijin, sesshō, dajō daijin. Family: Fujiwara no Morosuke (father) Fujiwara no Yoshitaka (son) Fujiwara no Yoshikane (son) Fujiwara no Kaishi (daughter) Fujiwara no Kanemichi (brother) Fujiwara no Kaneie (brother) Fujiwara no Kinsue (brother) Fujiwara no Tamemitsu (brother) Birth: 924AD Death: 972AD Fujiwara no Koretada Fujiwara[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Udaijin Family: Fujiwara no Tokihira (father) Fujiwara no Motosuke (son) Fujiwara no Atsutada (brother) Fujiwara no Yasutada (brother) Fujiwara no Hōshi (sister) Birth: 898AD Death: 953AD Fujiwara no Akitada Fujiwara no Akitada (藤原顕忠) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this[...]

Mōryō Mōryō (魍魎) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. The creature has many differing origins depending on the source consulted. Sekien uses the origins mentioned in the Wakan Sansai Zue which says this creature is a water kami the size of[...]

Jami Jami (邪魅 – Evil Spirit) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. The creature is described as a type of ‘chimi‘ (Mountain Spirit/kami), with Toriyama stating it is the manifestation of uncanny malevolence. The text known as the Wamyō Ruijūshō (Japanese[...]

  Period: Heian Period Occupation: Warrior / Poet / Monk Family: – Birth: 1104AD Death: 1180AD Minamoto no Yorimasa Minamoto no Yorimasa (源 頼政 was a poet and warrior living from 1104-80.12 As a buddhist monk he went by the name of Gensan-in Nyūdo2, but also was known as Genzanmi[...]

Itsumade Itsumade (以津真天) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. Appearance wise the creature is said to have the head of a man and body of a snake. It has a crooked bill as well as saw teeth, with long sharp spurs[...]

Nue Nue (鵺) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. This creature is said to dwell in the mountains taking the appearance of a creature with the head of a monkey, limbs of a tiger and tail of a viper, according to[...]

Ohaguro Ohaguro (お歯黒) was the Japanese custom of blackening your teeth. It was also known as Kane (鉄漿). Up until the 19th century it was thought to enhance sexual appeal as well as help to maintain healthy teeth. The mixture was achieved soaking iron nails in tea, sake, or various[...]

We are creating these pages to serves as a list of poems by Moriya Sen’an as we carry out more research, as well as the numerous translations these poems have in English. We will group them into the literature they comes from. Should we not known where they come from[...]

We are creating these pages to serves as a list of poems by Ono no Komachi as we carry out more research, as well as the numerous translations these poems have in English. We will group them into the literature they comes from. Should we not known where they come[...]

Period: Edo Period Occupation: Poet Family: – Birth: 1651 Death: 1704 Mukai Kyorai Mukai Kyorai (向井 去来), real name Mukai Kanetoki2, lived from 1651 to 1704, born to a physician from Nagasaki.1 As he grew up he excelled in martial arts, but by the age of 23 he decided to[...]

Jinkaishū The Jinkaishū (塵芥集 – Collection of Dust and Ashes) was a domainal law code (bunkokuhō) written by Date Tanemune and enacted by him on 4th May 1536. This piece of literature is the most detailed of all to have been made, and the longest remaining copy we have consists of[...]

Period: Nara Period Occupation: Poet, , Chūnagon, Dainagon Family: Ōtomo no Yakamochi (son) Sakanoue no Iratsume (half-sister) Birth: 665 Death: 731 Ōtomo no Tabito Ōtomo no Tabito (大伴 旅人) was a member of the Ōtomo Clan, living from 665-731. Family He was father to Ōtomo no Yakamochi and half-brother to[...]

Period: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: Sakanoue no Iratsume (half-sister/wife) Birth: – Death: – Ōtomo no Sukunamaro Ōtomo no Sukunamaro lived during the Nara Period. Though he was the older half brother of Sakanoue no Iratsume, they married one another and had two daughters together.1 Footnotes 1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An[...]

Period: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Fubito (father) Sakanoue no Iratsume (wife) Fujiwara no Hamanari (son) Fujiwara no Miyako (sister) Fujiwara no Asukabehime (sister) Fujiwara no Fusasaki (brother) Fujiwara no Umakai (brother) Fujiwara no Muchimaro (brother) Birth: 695 Death: 737 Fujiwara no Maro Fujiwara no Maro (藤原 麻呂) was the son[...]

Period: Nara Period Occupation: Poet Family: Ōtomo no Tabito (half-brother) Ōtomo no Sukunamaro (half-brother) Ōtomo no Yakamochi (nephew) Birth: – Death: – Sakanoue no Iratsume Sakanoue no Iratsume (大伴坂上 郎女) was the female head of the Ōtomo Clan active from 728 to 746AD.2 During her life she was the favourite[...]

Period: Muromachi Period / Azuchi-Momoyama Period Occupation: Daimyō Family: Date Teramune (Father) Birth: 1567 Death: 1635 Date Masamune Date Masamune (伊達 政宗) was a daimyō of Mutsu Province living from 1567 to 1635, during his life he had the nickname of One Eye Dragon (Dokuganryū) as he had a lost[...]

Period: Muromachi Period Occupation: – Family: Date Masamune (Son) Birth: – Death: 1584 Date Teramune Date Teramune (伊達 輝宗) was a member of the Date Clan and father of Date Masamune. He died in 1584.1 Footnotes 1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.    [...]

First Ruler: Date Tomomune Final Ruler: – Dissolution: – For a full list of Japanese Clans see: Clans. Date Clan The Date Clan (伊達氏) are descendants of Isa Tomomune, who later changed his name to Date Tomomune. After helping Minamoto no Yoritomo defeat his brother Yoshitsune in 1189 he was[...]

For all battles on the site see: List of Battles. Date Sōdō The Date Sōdō (伊達騒動 – Date Disturbance) was a small clash in the Date Clan at the hands of Date Munekatsu. between the years of 1660-1670.12 Date Tsunamura replaced his fathed Tsunamune as daimyō of the Sendai Domain,[...]

Period: Edo Period Occupation: Daimyō Family: Date Tsunamura (nephew) Date Tsunamune (brother) Birth: 1621 Death: 1679 Date Munekatsu Date Munekatsu (伊達宗勝) was a daimyō and member of the Date Clan, brother to Date Tsunamune and uncle of Date Tsunamura.1 He lived from 1621-1679.2 He devised  a plot to have his[...]

Jōgū Shōtoku Hōōtei setsu Jōgū Shōtoku Hōōtei setsu (上宮聖徳法王帝説 – Traditions concerning His Holiness, Prince Shōtoku) is a one volume piece of literature of unknown authorship concerning Shōtoku Taisha. Background The original document is said to have been housed in the temple of Hōryū-ji in Nara, however, the only remaining[...]

Period: Heian Period / Kamakura Period Occupation: – Family: – Birth: – Death: – Isa Tomomune Isa Tomomune, later Date Tomomune (伊達 朝宗) was the founder of the Date Clan. He founded the clan after aiding Minamoto no Yoritomo defeat his brother Yoshitsune in 1189 and after was gifted with[...]

Period: Muromachi Period Occupation: – Family: – Birth: 1488 Death: 1565 Date Tanemune Date Tanemune (伊達 稙宗) was a member of the Date Clan who lived fom 1488-1565. He authored their Date provincial code known as the Jinkaishū in 1536.12 Footnotes 1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha[...]

Period: Edo Period Occupation: Daimyō of the Sendai Domain Family: Date Tsunamune (father) Date Munekatsu (uncle) Birth: 1659 Death: 1719 Sendai Domain Daimyō Succession: Predecessor Date Tsunamune * Successor Date Yoshimura Date Tsunamura Date Tsunamura (伊達綱村) was a daimyō of the Sendai Domain, living from 1659-1719.1 A member of the[...]

Period: Edo Period Occupation: Daimyō of the Sendai Domain Family: Date Tsunamura (son) Date Munekatsu (brother) Birth: 1640 Death: 1711 Sendai Domain Daimyō Succession: Predecessor Date Tadamune * Successor Date Tsunamura Date Tsunamune Date Tsunamune (伊達 綱宗) was a daimyō of the Sendai Domain, living from 1640-1711.1 A member of the[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Poet, Monk Family: Fujiwara no Akisuke (father) Birth: c.1130 / c.1160 Death: c.1210 / c.1207 Kenshō Kenshō (顕昭) (c.1130-12101 / c.1160-12072 ) was the adopted son of Fujiwara no Akisuke and was both poet and Buddhist monk during his lifetime.12 He acted as leader of the[...]

Koro Chawa Koro Chawa also know as Tea-Talk of Old is a piece of literature where was can find mention of Kashin Koji where in 1612 he is said to have met with Tokugawa Ieyasu who asks him his age, to which he replies he is 88. This is useful[...]

Period: Muromachi Period Occupation: Magician Family: Birth: 1524 Death: – Kashin Koji Kashin Koji (果心居士) was said to have been a magician born in 1524 who also went by the name of Shippo Gyoja (Pilgrim of the Seven Treasures). His ancestry is unfortunately not known and we can often find[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Minister Family: Fujiwara no Mototsune (father) Fujiwara no Akitada (son) Fujiwara no Atsutada (son) Fujiwara no Yasutada (son) Fujiwara no Hōshi (daughter) Fujiwara no Tadahira (brother) Fujiwara no Nakahira (brother) Fujiwara no Kanehira (brother) Fujiwara no Raishi (sister) Fujiwara no Baishi (sister) Fujiwara no Onshi I[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Poet Family: Birth: – Death: 1165. Fujiwara Norikane Fujiwara Norikane was both a minister and poet from the Heian Period. He died in 1165.1 He compiled and wrote Thirty Six Women Poetic Geniuses inside a compilation known as the Poetry Tournament of Thirty-Six Women Poetic Geniuses (Nyōbō[...]

See also: List of Folktales Momotarō Momotarō (桃太郎 – Peach Boy) is a Folktale about a man with the same name, as well as a Dog, Monkey and Pheasant and their journey to the island of Onigashima to stop the Oni.1 There are many verisons of the tale (and will[...]

Hone onna Hone onna (骨女 – Bone Woman) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. In the tale known as the Otogi Bōko (Hand Puppet Tales) by Asai Ryōi we see this tale first appearing. The tale itself talks of a woman[...]

Kejōrō Kejōrō (毛倡妓 – Dangling hair) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. She is depicted as a women hiding her face with her hair all the way down passed her chin. Sekien’s depiciton here is set in the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters[...]

Aonyōbō Aonyōbō (青女房 – A lady in waiting) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. She is depicted as a creature with unshorn eyebrows and blackened teeth. it is said she slinks around watching those who are better than her. The Ao[...]

Ganbari nyūdō Ganbari nyūdō (加牟波理入道) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. It is said that you can find this type of creature in peoples toilets, but a way you can stop them from appearing is by chanting ‘Ganbari Nyūdō hototogisu‘ (Striving[...]

Hiyoribō The Hiyoribō (日和坊) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. It is said that this creature dwells in the Mountains of Changzhou in China and will never be seen during times of rainy weather. It is only when the weather is[...]

Furutsubaki no rei Furutsubaki no rei (古山茶の霊) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. This particular Yōkai is composed of the spirits of old camelia trees, with these spirits being said to sometimes take on a more human form as well as[...]

See also: Six Poetic Geniuses, 36 Poetic Geniuses, 36 Women Poetic Geniuses Thirty Six Poetic Geniuses of the Late Classical Period The Thirty Six Poetic Geniuses of the Late Classical Period (Chūko Sanjūrokkasen – 中古三十六歌仙) were a compilation of 36 esteemed poets compiled by Fujiwara no Norikane. The list of[...]

See also: Six Poetic Geniuses, 36 Poetic Geniuses, 36 Poetic Geniuses of the Late Classical Period Thirty Six Women Poetic Geniuses The Thirty Six Women Poetic Geniuses (Nyōbō Sanjūrokkasen 女房三十六歌仙) was a list of female poets compiled by Fujiwara no Norikane inside a compilation known as the Poetry Tournament of[...]

See also: Six Poetic Geniuses, 36 Women Poetic Geniuses, 36 Poetic Geniuses of the Late Classical Period Thirty Six Poetic Geniuses The Thirty Six Poetic Geniuses (三十六歌仙 – Sanjūrokuninsen / Sanjūrokksen) was a list of 36 poets compiled by Fujiwara no Kinto between 1009-1012. This idea of ’36’ poets was[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Poet Family: Fujiwara no Akisue (father) Fujiwara no Kiyosuke (son) Kenshō (adopted son) Birth: 1090AD Death: 1155AD Fujiwara no Akisuke Fujiwara no Akisuke (藤原顕輔) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan living from 1090-1155AD. He was the son of Fujiwara no Akisue, father of Fujiwara no[...]

Yoryūdo The Yoryūdo (寄人 – Dependant People) is a role which can be applied both to scribes and laborers depending on the period. In term of farmers and laborers it applies from the 10th to 13th Centuries for those who offered their services to estates that they did not belong[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Poet Family: Fujiwara no Akisuke (son) Fujiwara no Kiyosuke (grandson) Birth: 1054AD Death: 1122AD Fujiwara no Akisue Fujiwara no Akisue (藤原 顕季) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan and founder of the Rokujo House of Poetry12, living in the Heian Period from 1054-1122AD.2 He was[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Poet Family: Fujiwara no Akisuke (father) Fujiwara no Akisue (grandfather) Birth: 1104AD Death: 1177AD Fujiwara no Kiyosuke Fujiwara no Kiyosuke (藤原清輔) was a Heian Period poet living from 1104-1177AD.13 As a member of the Fujiwara Clan he was the second son of Fujiwara no Akisuke and[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Nashitsubo no Gonin, Poet Family: Kiyohara no Fukayabu (grandfather) Sei Shonagon (daughter) Birth: 908AD Death: 990AD Kiyohara no Motosuke Kiyohara no Motosuke (清原 元輔) was a Heian Period poet living between 908 and 990AD. He was the grandson of Kiyohara no Fukayabu,1 and was the father[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Nashitsubo no Gonin, Poet Family: – Birth: 911AD Death: 983AD Minamoto no Shitagō Minamoto no Shitagō (源 順) also known as Minamoto no Shitagau was a Heian Period poet living from 911 to 983AD.12 Later in life he became a Buddhist Monk and took the name[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Nashitsubo no Gonin, Poet Family: Ki no Tsurayuki (father) Birth: 10th Century Death: – Ki no Tokibumi Ki no Tokibumi (紀 時文) was a poet from the 10th Century. As a member of the Nashitsubo no Gonin, he helped in compiling the the Gosenshū1 and was tasked[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Nashitsubo no Gonin, Poet Family: – Birth: 10th Century Death: – Sakanoue no Mochiki Sakanoue no Mochiki (坂上望城)  was a poet from the 10th Century. He was a part of the Nashitsubo no Gonin, and as part of it he helped in compiling the Gosenshū1 and[...]

Nashitsubo no Gonin The Nashitsubo no Gonin (Five Men of the Pear Chamber – 梨壺の五人) was the term used in 951 for a group of five men who helped in compiling the Gosenshū.1 These people were chosen specifically by Emperor Murakami and were additionally tasked to make a scholarly study of[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Waka Poet, Hereditary High Official, Nashitsubo no Gonin Family: Ōnakatomi no Yorimoto Birth: 921AD Death: 991AD Ōnakatomi no Yoshinobu Ōnakatomi no Yoshinobu (大中臣 能宣) was a Heian Period poet, as well as holding the position of Hereditary High Official of the Department of Religious Affairs.1 Additionally, he[...]

Funa yūrei Funa yūrei (船幽霊 or 舟幽霊) is a type of Yurei depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. The aimless spirits or ghosts are thought to represent hardship at sea. It is said that they will pull up alongside a boat and then deman ladles from[...]

Hitodama Hitodama (人魂) is a type of Yurei depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. It is represented as a kind of floating orb or fireball, which are state to be the souls of the dead. There are ways to ensure that when the supernatural apparears, your[...]

See also: Provinces Harima Province Harima Province (播磨国) is one of the many Provinces which once existed in Japan.1 It also went by the name of Banshū (播州) and is now located in the modern prefecture of Hyōgo.2 One version of the folktale known as banchō sarayashiki is set in[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Waka Poet, Lieutenant of Imperial Guard Family: Fujiwara no Toshiie (father) Fujiwara no Michinaga (great-grandfather) Birth: 1060AD Death: 1142AD Fujiwara no Mototoshi Fujiwara no Mototoshi (藤原 基俊) also went by the name of Kakushi. He was the son of the Minister Fujiwara no Toshiie1 and great[...]