Chiteiki (池亭記), also known as Chitei no Ki, is one of the representative kanbun texts of the mid Heian period.[1] Belonging to the zuihitsu genre, it was written by Yoshishige no Yasutane (ja:慶滋保胤) in 982. The text is a valuable resource for understanding social issues within the capital at the time.
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Yasutane drew inspiration for his text from Bai Juyi's Chi Shang Pian (池上篇) and Kane Akira's book by the same title.[1]
The short text is contained with volume 12 of the Honchō Monzui. It is composed of two major sections. The first is a commentary on problems within the society. Noteworthy are the descriptions of the capital: the west side has gone to ruin and people live crowded on the east side. Due to these issues, in the second half Yasutane goes into seclusion. He builds a small house where he can live a free lifestyle away from worldly cares.[1][2]
Chiteiki is primarily cited as having a major influence on Kamo no Chōmei's later Hōjōki (1212).[1][3] In Hōjōki, Chōmei mimics a number of literary devices found in Chiteiki', describes similar social problems, and eventually goes into seclusion building a small hut.