Hyakunin isshu (百人一首) is a traditional anthology style of compiling Japanese waka poetry where each contributor writes one poem for the anthology. Literally, it translates to "one hundred people, one poem [each]". It also refers to the card game of uta-garuta, which uses a deck composed of poems from one such anthology.
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The most famous hyakunin isshu, often referred to as "the" Hyakunin Isshu because no other one compares to its notability, is the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, compiled by Fujiwara no Teika (or Sadaie, 1162 – 1241) while he lived in the Ogura district of Kyoto, Japan.[1]
One of Teika's diaries, the Meigetsuki, says that his son, Fujiwara no Tame'ie, asked him to arrange one hundred poems for Tame'ie's father-in-law, who was furnishing a residence near Mount Ogura;[2] hence the full name of "Ogura Hyakunin Isshu". In order to decorate screens of the residence, Fujiwara no Teika produced the calligraphy poem sheets.[3]
In his own lifetime, Teika was well known for other work. For example, in 1200 (Shōji 2), Teika prepared another anthology of one hundred poems for ex-Emperor Go-Toba. This was called the Shōji Hyakushu.[4]
Poem number 2[5]
One of the poems attributed to Empress Jitō was selected by Fujiwara no Teika for inclusion in the popular anthology Hyakunin Isshu. The text is visually descriptive.
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Poem number 26[6]
A quite different poem is attributed to Sadaijin Fujiwara no Tadahira in the context of a very specific incident. After abdicating, former Emperor Uda, visited Mount Ogura in Yamashiro province; and Uda was so greatly impressed by the beauty of autumn colours of the maples that he ordered Fujiwara no Tadahira to encourage Uda's son and heir, Emperor Daigo to visit the same area. Prince Tenshin or Prince Teishin (貞信公 Teishin Ko) was Tadahira's posthumous name, and this is the name commonly associated with a poem which observes that "[t]The maples of Mount Ogura, If they could understand, Would keep their brilliant leaves, until [t]he Ruler of this land Pass with his Royal band."[7] The accompanying 18th century illustration shows a person of consequence riding an ox in a procession with attendants on foot. The group is passing through an area of maples.[8]
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In November 2003, the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry founded the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Cultural Foundation to promote this work of literature and poetic appreciation.[9]
In January 2006, The Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Hall of Fame Shigure-den was completed in Arashiyama.[9] This museum introduces visitors to Hyakunin Isshu using the latest digital technology.[10]
During the following years, 100 monuments inscribed with the 100 poems from the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu are planned for installation in the nearby vicinity.[9]
The Ogura Hyakunin Isshu has been translated into many languages and into English many times, beginning with Yone Noguchi's "Hyaku Nin Isshu in English" in 1907.[11] Other translators include William N. Porter, A Hundred Verses from Old Japan (1909), Clay MacCauley, Hyakunin-isshu (Single Songs of a Hundred Poets) (1917), Kenneth Rexroth, One Hundred Poems from the Japanese (1955), Tom Galt, The Little Treasury of One Hundred People, One Poem Each (1982), Joshua S. Mostow, Pictures of the Heart: The Hyakunin Isshu in Word and Image (1996), Peter McMillan, One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each (2008), and Emiko Miyashita and Michael Dylan Welch, 100 Poets: Passions of the Imperial Court (2008).
Many other anthologies compiled along the same criteria—one hundred poems by one hundred poets—include the words hyakunin isshu, notably the World War II-era Aikoku Hyakunin Isshu (愛国百人一首), or One Hundred Patriotic Poems by One Hundred Poets. Also important is Kyōka Hyakunin Isshu (狂歌百人一首), a series of parodies of the original Ogura collection.
Teika's anthology is the basis for the card game of karuta, which has been popular since the Edo period.[12]
Many forms of playing game with Hyakunin Isshu exist in Japan.
Also Competitive Karuta (Kyogi Karuta) are played.