Kaifuso
Encyclopedia
is the oldest collection of Chinese poetry
(kanshi) written by Japanese
poets.
It was created by an unknown compiler in 751. In the brief introductions of the poets, the unknown writer seems sympathic to Emperor Kōbun
and his regents who were overthrown in 672 by Emperor Temmu
after only eight months of the rule. Thus, it has been traditionally credited to Awami Mifune, a great grandson of Emperor Kōbun.
It is a collection of 120 works by 64 poets written in the elegant style of poetry popular in China in the eighth century. Most of the poets are princes and high ranking regents, such as Prince Ōtsu
. Eighteen of the Kaifūsō poets, including Prince Ōtsu, also have poems in the later anthology of Japanese poetry, the Man'yōshū.
At the time Kaifūsō was written, Chinese poetry had a higher place in the Japanese literary world than waka
, and Chinese character
s were used for official documents. Most of the works collected were read on a public occasion.
Kanshi (poetry)
is a Japanese term for Chinese poetry in general as well as the poetry written in Chinese by Japanese poets. It literally means "Han poetry". Kanshi was the most popular form of poetry during the early Heian period in Japan among Japanese aristocrats and proliferated until the modern period.The...
(kanshi) written by Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
poets.
It was created by an unknown compiler in 751. In the brief introductions of the poets, the unknown writer seems sympathic to Emperor Kōbun
Emperor Kobun
was the 39th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Kōbun's reign lasted only a few months in 671–672.-Traditional narrative:...
and his regents who were overthrown in 672 by Emperor Temmu
Emperor Temmu
was the 40th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Temmu's reign lasted from 672 until his death in 686.-Traditional narrative:...
after only eight months of the rule. Thus, it has been traditionally credited to Awami Mifune, a great grandson of Emperor Kōbun.
It is a collection of 120 works by 64 poets written in the elegant style of poetry popular in China in the eighth century. Most of the poets are princes and high ranking regents, such as Prince Ōtsu
Prince Otsu
was a Japanese poet and the son of Emperor Temmu.-Background:His mother was Princess Ōta whose father was Emperor Tenji. He was therefore the younger full-blood brother of Princess Ōku. His consort was Princess Yamanobe, daughter of Emperor Tenji, thus his cousin...
. Eighteen of the Kaifūsō poets, including Prince Ōtsu, also have poems in the later anthology of Japanese poetry, the Man'yōshū.
At the time Kaifūsō was written, Chinese poetry had a higher place in the Japanese literary world than waka
Waka (poetry)
Waka or Yamato uta is a genre of classical Japanese verse and one of the major genres of Japanese literature...
, and Chinese character
Chinese character
Chinese characters are logograms used in the writing of Chinese and Japanese , less frequently Korean , formerly Vietnamese , or other languages...
s were used for official documents. Most of the works collected were read on a public occasion.