Kokin Wakashū
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The Kokin Wakashū , commonly abbreviated as Kokinshū (古今集), 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 905. Its finished form dates to c. 920, though according to several historical accounts the last poem was added to the collection in 914.
Section of the earliest extant complete manuscript of the Kokinshū (Gen'ei edition, National Treasure); early twelfth century; at the Tokyo National Museum
Ono no Komachi
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Ono no Komachi was a Japanese waka poet, one of the Rokkasen—the six best waka poets of the early Heian period. She was renowned for her unusual beauty, and Komachi is today a synonym for feminine beauty in Japan. She also counts among the Thirty-six Poetry Immortals.
Ono no Komachi as an old woman, a woodcut by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Komachi on her deathbed at the beginning of the death of a noble lady and the decay of her body
Ono no Komachi drawn by Kikuchi Yōsai