1. What Is the Hyakunin Isshu, and Which Poets Are in It?
The Hyakunin Isshu is an anthology that selects one poem each from one hundred poets, ranging from Emperor Tenji to Emperor Juntoku. [1] The group consists of 79 men and 21 women. Among the men, 13 were monks. [1]
It is also known by other names, such as the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu or Ogura Hyakushu. [2] The term "Ogura" refers to Ogura Mountain in the Saga area of Kyoto, where the poet Fujiwara no Teika is said to have had his mountain villa. [2]
2. How Did Poems Chosen for Decorating Screens With Colored Paper Begin the Hyakunin Isshu?
Around 1235, Utsunomiya Yoritsuna, a warrior and poet who had taken the religious name Renshō, is said to have asked Fujiwara no Teika to select poems. [1] The purpose was to fill colored paper squares to decorate the sliding doors (shoji) of a villa Renshō built in Saga, Kyoto. [1]
The two men were close friends; Renshō even married his daughter to Teika’s successor, Fujiwara no Tameie. [3] It is also said that Teika wrote the poems on the colored paper himself and gave them to Renshō. [3]
Why one poem per person? There is no record found in this research where Teika explained his own reasoning. However, a logical guess is that if the goal was to fill shoji doors, writing one poem per person made it easier to count and arrange the papers. This remains a speculation. [1]
3. Why Does the Hyakunin Shuka Draft Book Include Two More Emperors?
There is another book attributed to Teika called the Hyakunin Shuka. It contains one poem each from 101 poets. Of these, 97 poems overlap with the Hyakunin Isshu. [4] The two poets who appear in the Hyakunin Isshu but are missing from the Hyakunin Shuka are Emperor Go-Toba and Emperor Juntoku. [4]
The Hyakunin Shuka is believed to have been completed before September 1235, and it is the majority view that it predates the current Hyakunin Isshu. [4] This raises the question: who finalized the current version?
One theory suggests that Teika’s son, Tameie, later revised the Hyakunin Shuka to create the Hyakunin Isshu we know today. [1] The poems by Emperors Go-Toba and Juntoku may have been added or swapped in during this later revision, though this is not confirmed. [1] In fact, some discussions continue to debate whether Teika truly compiled the Hyakunin Isshu at all. [5]
4. Did Teika Really Write the Ogura Shikishi Colored Papers?
The colored paper squares said to be written by Teika are called "Ogura Shikishi." However, these papers first appear in historical records in the 15th century, more than 200 years after Teika died in 1241. [5]
Research into whether these papers are genuine works by Teika is still ongoing. None have been designated as National Treasures. It has not been proven that they are forgeries, but the debate continues. [5]
5. How Did the Hyakunin Isshu Change From Books to Cards in the Edo Period?
In the mid-Edo period, many books with explanations of the Hyakunin Isshu became widely available. They were used as textbooks and models for calligraphy, helping to spread the poems as general knowledge. [7]
The poems became linked with "karuta," a word derived from the Portuguese word "carta," meaning card. [8] The game of listening to a poem and finding the matching card is said to have roots in the Heian period game of Kai-awase (shell matching). [8]
The game became established as a New Year’s tradition in the mid-Edo period. [8] It became a family activity where knowing the poems helped players find the cards quickly. [8]
6. What Are the Modern Karuta Rules and the Meijin Match?
In 1904 (Meiji 37), the journalist Kuroiwa Ruiko established the Tokyo Karuta Association and held the first tournament on February 11. The rules unified at this event are considered the beginning of modern competitive karuta. [8]
According to the All Japan Karuta Association, the 72nd Meijin (Master) and 70th Queen title matches took place on January 11, 2026. [9] The venue was Omi Jingu in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture. [9]
Omi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji, who is said to have composed the first poem of the Hyakunin Isshu. [9] Thus, poems born from a request to decorate sliding doors are still being recited in competitive settings about 800 years later. [9]
7. How Can You Explore the Hyakunin Isshu Yourself?
If you want to learn more, try comparing the first poem (by Emperor Tenji) and the last poem (by Emperor Juntoku) in a book at home or the library. You can also look at a timeline to see how far apart their lives were. [1]
Pick a poem you like and ask yourself: "If Teika chose this one, why?" Since Teika left no explanation, you are free to create your own answer. [1]
You can also visit places related to this history. In Saga, Kyoto, there are temples said to be the site of Teika’s villa, though the location of the villa varies by source. [6] In Shiga Prefecture, Omi Jingu hosts the Meijin and Queen title matches. [9] For official information on competitive karuta tournaments, check the All Japan Karuta Association website. [9]