Revisiting the Origins of Hyakunin Isshu: Teika’s Gift to the UtsunomiyaKumiko Tabuchi
Translated by Jeffrey Knott

Abstract

The compiler of the poetry collection Hyakunin isshu, among the most famous works of Japanese literature, was long believed to be Fujiwara no Teika. Today, however, scholars broadly doubt this attribution, given substantial indications that Hyakunin isshu was itself a reworking of the earlier anthology Hyakunin shūka (in contrast, quite likely Teika’s compilation). The present article revisits these origins, starting with the evidence tying Teika to Hyakunin shūka but examining primarily that prior collection’s impetus in a certain commission undertaken by Teika for Utsunomiya Renshō: a request to personally produce ornamental poem cards (shikishigata) for the shōji (sliding screens) of Renshō’s own villa. As destined recipient for such a gift of waka art, this Renshō—head of the Utsunomiya clan, prestigious political and religious figure, father-in-law to Teika’s son—represents a critical context for the creation of Hyakunin shūka/Hyakunin isshu, one often underappreciated in previous research. Focusing on Renshō to address this neglect, the article investigates in detail parallel examples of screen poetry gifted to Renshō, specifically two further sets from Teika and his son, respectively.