Who is Izumi Shikibu
Izumi Shikibu (Japanese: 和泉式部, born 976?) was a mid-Heian period Japanese poet. She is a member of the Thirty-six Medieval Poetry Immortals (中古三十六歌仙, chūko sanjurokkasen). She was the contemporary of Murasaki Shikibu, and Akazome Emon at the court of empress Joto Mon'in.She "is considered by many to have been the greatest woman poet of the Heian period". Her legacy includes 242 poems and two kashu."Torn between worldly ties and physical desire, Izumi Shikibu left a wealth of passionate love poetry, fueling rumors that purported that she was a femme fatale with numerous lovers besides her two husbands and two princely lovers.": 155
Early life
Izumi Shikibu was the daughter of Oe no Masamune, governor of Echizen. Her mother was...
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Izumi Shikibu Poems
- Plum Blossom
I cannot say
which is which:
the glowing
plum blossom is... - Although The Wind
Although the wind
blows terribly here,
the moonlight also leaks
between the roof planks... - Watching The Moon
Watching the moon
at dawn
solitary, mid-sky,
I knew myself completely,... - If The One I've Waited For
If the one I've waited for
came now, what should I do?
This morning's garden filled with snow
is far too lovely... - Although I Try
Although I try
to hold the single thought
of Buddha's teaching in my heart,
I cannot help but hear...
