Fujiwara no Sanekata (藤原実方, died 998) was a Japanese waka poet of the mid-Heian period. One of his poems was included in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu. He left a private waka collection, the Sanekata-shū.

Fujiwara no Sanekata, from the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu.

Biography

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Sanekata was a great-grandson of Fujiwara no Tadahira, "and commander of the bodyguard."[1] He was raised by his uncle, Fujiwara no Naritoki (藤原済時).[2]

He was reportedly a lover of Sei Shōnagon,[1] and exchanged love poems with many women.[2]

He was appointed governor of Mutsu Province, and he died while in service there.[1][2]

He died in 998.[2]

Poetry

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Sixty-seven of his poems were included in imperial anthologies from the Shūi Wakashū on,[1][2] and he was listed as one of the Late Classical Thirty-Six Immortals of Poetry.[2]

The following poem by him was included as No. 51 in Fujiwara no Teika's Ogura Hyakunin Isshu:

Japanese text[3] Romanized Japanese[4] English translation[5]
かくとだに
えやはいぶきの
さしも草
さしも知らじな
燃ゆる思ひを
Kaku to dani
e ya wa ibuki no
sashimo-gusa
sa shimo shiraji na
moyuru omoi wo
Can I let you know
what consumes me?
Unknown to you,
my heart blazes
like red hot moxa
aflame with love
for you.

A private collection of his poetry, the Sanekata-shū (実方集), survives.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e McMillan 2010 : 140-141 (note 51).
  2. ^ a b c d e f Daijirin entry "Fujiwara no Sanekata". Sanseidō.
  3. ^ Suzuki et al. 2009 : 66.
  4. ^ McMillan 2010 : 165.
  5. ^ McMillan 2010 : 53.

Bibliography

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  • McMillan, Peter. 2010 (1st ed. 2008). One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231143998
  • Suzuki Hideo, Yamaguchi Shin'ichi, Yoda Yasushi. 2009 (1st ed. 1997). Genshoku: Ogura Hyakunin Isshu. Tokyo: Bun'eidō.
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