Ariwara no Narihira
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Ariwara no Narihira was a Japanese courtier and waka poet of the early Heian period. He was named one of both the Six Poetic Geniuses and the Thirty-Six Poetic Geniuses, and one of his poems was inclu
Ariwara no Narihira (1648)
The reputed site of Narihira's residence, near Karasuma Oike Station
Ariwara no Narihira looking for the ghost of Ono no Komachi, in an 1891 print by Yoshitoshi
The Mount Yoshida grave site
The Tales of Ise
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The Tales of Ise is a Japanese uta monogatari, or collection of waka poems and associated narratives, dating from the Heian period. The standard versions have 125 sections or episodes each combining p
Ariwara no Narihira
…had affairs with the high priestess of the Ise Grand Shrine and the poet Ono no Komachi, and that he fathered Emperor Yōzei. His love affairs inspired The Tales of Ise, and he has ever since been a model of the handsome, amorous nobleman. Narihira was considered an avatar of Jūichi-men Kannon. Ariwara no Narihira was…
Double-page from the manuscript of The Tales of Ise. Japan, late 16th century. Chester Beatty Library
Painting by Sumiyoshi Jokei (住吉如慶) illustrating episode 9 of the Tales of Ise, British Museum
Tales of Ise folding screen by Matabei School c1625 part 1
Tales of Ise folding screen by Matabei School c1650 part 2