Ogura Hyakunin Isshu

Hyakunin Isshu (百人一首) is a classical Japanese anthology of one hundred Japanese waka by one hundred poets. Hyakunin isshu can be translated to "one hundred people, one poem [each]"; it can also refer to the card game of uta-garuta, which uses a deck composed of cards based on the Hyakunin Isshu.

The most famous and standard version was compiled by Fujiwara no Teika (1162–1241) while he lived in the Ogura district of Kyoto.^[1] It is therefore also known as Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (小倉百人一首).

One of Teika's diaries, the Meigetsuki, says that his son Tameie asked him to arrange one hundred poems for Tameie's father-in-law, Utsunomiya Yoritsuna, 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]

Hishikawa Moronobu (1618–1694) provided woodblock portraits for each of the poets included in the anthology.^[4] Katsukawa Shunshō (1726–1793) designed prints for a full-color edition published in 1775.^[5]

In his own lifetime, Teika was better known for other work. For example, in 1200 (Shōji 2), he prepared another anthology of one hundred poems for ex-Emperor Go-Toba, called the Shōji Hyakushu.^[6]

A poem by Emperor Tenji about the hardships of farmers. Teika chose this poem from the Gosen Wakashū:

秋の田のかりほの庵の苫をあらみ
     わが衣手は露にぬれつつ
aki no ta no kariho no io no toma o arami
waga koromode wa tsuyu ni nuretsutsu
In autumn paddies under the temporary dwelling made of rushes, my sleeves are wet with the dew.
(Gosen Wakashū 6:302)

A visually-descriptive poem attributed to Empress Jitō. Teika chose this poem from the Shin Kokin Wakashū:

春過ぎて夏来にけらし白妙の
     衣干すてふ天の香具山
haru sugite natsu kinikerashi shirotae no
koromo hosu chō Ama no Kaguyama
Spring has passed, and the white robes of summer are being aired on fragrant Mount Kagu—beloved of the gods.^[7]
(Shin Kokin Wakashū 3:175)

The original was likely based from a poem of the Man'yōshū (book 1, poem 28) by the same poet.

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. He 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 Teishin (貞信公, Teishin-kō) was Tadahira's posthumous name, and this is the name used in William Porter's translation of the poem which observes that "[t]he 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." 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 maple leaves.^[8]

Teika chose this poem from the Shūi Wakashū for the hundred poems collection:

小倉山峰のもみぢ葉心あらば
     今ひとたびの行幸またなむ
Ogura-yama mine no momijiba kokoro araba
ima hitotabi no miyuki matanan^[9]
Maple leaves on Ogura mountain: if you had a heart, I would have you wait for one more royal visit!^[10]
(Shūi Wakashū 17:1128)

A poem by Saigyō about the pain of love. This poem was chosen from the Senzai Wakashū:

嘆けとて月やは物を思はする
     かこち顔なるわが涙かな
nageke to te tsuki ya wa mono wo omowasuru
kakochi-gao naru waga namida ka na
How could the moon make me fall into thought by saying "Lament!"? Although it is attributed to me being in love, I attribute my tears falling down to the moon.
(Senzai Wakashū 15:926)

• 
  1.
  Emperor Tenji
  天智天皇
• 
  2.
  Empress Jitō
  持統天皇
• 
  3.
  Kakinomoto no Hitomaro
  柿本人麿
• 
  4.
  Yamabe no Akahito
  山辺赤人
• 
  5.
  Sarumaru Dayū
  猿丸大夫
• 
  6.
  Chūnagon Yakamochi
  中納言家持
• 
  7.
  Abe no Nakamaro
  安倍仲麿
• 
  8.
  Kisen Hōshi
  喜撰法師
• 
  9.
  Ono no Komachi
  小野小町
• 
  10.
  Semimaru
  蝉丸
• 
  11.
  Sangi Takamura
  参議篁
• 
  12.
  Sōjō Henjō
  僧正遍昭
• 
  13.
  Retired Emperor Yōzei
  陽成院
• 
  14.
  Minister of the Left of Kawara
  河原左大臣
• 
  15.
  Emperor Kōkō
  光孝天皇
• 
  16.
  Chūnagon Yukihira
  中納言行平
• 
  17.
  Ariwara no Narihira Ason
  在原業平朝臣
• 
  18.
  Fujiwara no Toshiyuki Ason
  藤原敏行朝臣
• 
  19.
  Ise
  伊勢
• 
  20.
  Prince Motoyoshi
  元良親王
• 
  21.
  Sosei Hōshi
  素性法師
• 
  22.
  Fun'ya no Yasuhide
  文屋康秀
• 
  23.
  Ō'e no Chisato
  大江千里
• 
  24.
  Kanke
  菅家
• 
  25.
  Minister of the Right of Sanjō
  三条右大臣
• 
  26.
  Teishin-kō
  貞信公
• 
  27.
  Chūnagon Kanesuke
  中納言兼輔
• 
  28.
  Minamoto no Muneyuki Ason
  源宗于朝臣
• 
  29.
  Ōshikōchi no Mitsune
  凡河内躬恒
• 
  30.
  Mibu no Tadamine
  壬生忠岑
• 
  31.
  Sakanoue no Korenori
  坂上是則
• 
  32.
  Harumichi no Tsuraki
  春道列樹
• 
  33.
  Ki no Tomonori
  紀友則
• 
  34.
  Fujiwara no Okikaze
  藤原興風
• 
  35.
  Ki no Tsurayuki
  紀貫之
• 
  36.
  Kiyohara no Fukayabu
  清原深養父
• 
  37.
  Fun'ya no Asayasu
  文屋朝康
• 
  38.
  Ukon
  右近
• 
  39.
  Sangi Hitoshi
  参議等
• 
  40.
  Taira no Kanemori
  平兼盛
• 
  41.
  Mibu no Tadami
  壬生忠見
• 
  42.
  Kiyohara no Motosuke
  清原元輔
• 
  43.
  Acting Chūnagon Atsutada
  権中納言敦忠
• 
  44.
  Chūnagon Asatada
  中納言朝忠
• 
  45.
  Kentoku-kō
  謙徳公
• 
  46.
  Sone no Yoshitada
  曽禰好忠
• 
  47.
  Egyō Hōshi
  恵慶法師
• 
  48.
  Minamoto no Shigeyuki
  源重之
• 
  49.
  Ōnakatomi no Yoshinobu Ason
  大中臣能宣朝臣
• 
  50.
  Fujiwara no Yoshitaka
  藤原義孝
• 
  51.
  Fujiwara no Sanekata Ason
  藤原実方朝臣
• 
  52.
  Fujiwara no Michinobu Ason
  藤原道信朝臣
• 
  53.
  Mother of the Right Captain Michitsuna
  右大将道綱母
• 
  54.
  Mother of the Honorary Grand Minister
  儀同三司母
• 
  55.
  Dainagon Kintō
  大納言公任
• 
  56.
  Izumi Shikibu
  和泉式部
• 
  57.
  Murasaki Shikibu
  紫式部
• 
  58.
  Daini no San'mi
  大弐三位
• 
  59.
  Akazome Emon
  赤染衛門
• 
  60.
  Ko Shikibu no Naishi
  小式部内侍
• 
  61.
  Ise no Taifu
  伊勢大輔
• 
  62.
  Sei Shōnagon
  清少納言
• 
  63.
  Sakyō no Daibu Michimasa
  左京大夫道雅
• 
  64.
  Acting Chūnagon Sadayori
  権中納言定頼
• 
  65.
  Sagami
  相模
• 
  66.
  Dai Sōjō Gyōson
  大僧正行尊
• 
  67.
  Suō no Naishi
  周防内侍
• 
  68.
  Retired Emperor Sanjō
  三条院
• 
  69.
  Nō'in Hōshi
  能因法師
• 
  70.
  Ryōsen Hōshi
  良暹法師
• 
  71.
  Dainagon Tsunenobu
  大納言経信
• 
  72.
  Kii of Princess Yūshi's Household
  祐子内親王家紀伊
• 
  73.
  Acting Chūnagon Masafusa
  権中納言匡房
• 
  74.
  Minamoto no Toshiyori Ason
  源俊頼朝臣
• 
  75.
  Fujiwara no Mototoshi
  藤原基俊
• 
  76.
  Lay Novice of Hosshō-ji Temple, former Kampaku and Chancellor of the Realm
  法性寺入道前関白太政大臣
• 
  77.
  Retired Emperor Sutoku
  崇徳院
• 
  78.
  Minamoto no Kanemasa
  源兼昌
• 
  79.
  Sakyō no Daibu Akisuke
  左京大夫顕輔
• 
  80.
  Taikenmon In no Horikawa
  待賢門院堀河
• 
  81.
  Go-Tokudaiji Sa-daijin
  後徳大寺左大臣
• 
  82.
  Dōin Hōshi
  道因法師
• 
  83.
  Master of the Empress Dowager's Household Toshinari
  皇太后宮大夫俊成
• 
  84.
  Fujiwara no Kiyosuke Ason
  藤原清輔朝臣
• 
  85.
  Shun'e Hōshi
  俊恵法師
• 
  86.
  Saigyō Hōshi
  西行法師
• 
  87.
  Jakuren Hōshi
  寂蓮法師
• 
  88.
  Attendant to Empress Kōka
  皇嘉門院別当
• 
  89.
  Princess Shokushi
  式子内親王
• 
  90.
  Attendant to Empress Inpu
  殷富門院大輔
• 
  91.
  Gokyōgoku Regent and former Chancellor of the Realm
  後京極摂政前太政大臣
• 
  92.
  Nijō In no Sanuki
  二条院讃岐
• 
  93.
  Kamakura U-daijin
  鎌倉右大臣
• 
  94.
  Sangi Masatsune
  参議雅経
• 
  95.
  Saki no Daisōjō Jien
  前大僧正慈円
• 
  96.
  Lay Novice and former Chancellor of the Realm
  入道前太政大臣
• 
  97.
  Acting Chūnagon Sadaie
  権中納言定家
• 
  98.
  Ju-nii Ietaka
  従二位家隆
• 
  99.
  Retired Emperor Go-Toba
  後鳥羽院
• 
  100.
  Retired Emperor Juntoku
  順徳院

The Ogura Hyakunin Isshu has been translated into many languages and into English many times.

English translations include:

• F. V. Dickins, Hyaku-Nin-Isshu, or Stanzas by a Century of Poets (1866)
• Clay MacCauley, Hyakunin-isshu (Single Songs of a Hundred Poets), TASJ, 27(4), 1–152 (1899)
• Yone Noguchi, Hyaku Nin Isshu in English (1907)^[11]
• William N. Porter, A Hundred Verses from Old Japan (1909)
• 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 MacMillan, One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse (2008; Penguin Classics, revised edition 2018)
• Emiko Miyashita and Michael Dylan Welch, 100 Poets: Passions of the Imperial Court (2008)
• Hideaki Nakano, WAKA WAKA 100 - Hyakunin Isshu (2023)

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 games with Hyakunin Isshu exist in Japan, such as Uta-garuta, the basis for competitive karuta (kyōgi karuta).^[13]

• Nisonin, Kyoto
• Shigureden, a museum in Kyoto about this subject

• Fujiwara no Sadaie, Thomas Galt. (1982). The Little Treasury of One Hundred People, One Poem Each. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-06514-4
• Fujiwara no Sadaie, Yoritsuna Utsunomiya, William Ninnis Porter. (1979) A Hundred Verses from Old Japan, Being a Translation of the Hyaku-nin-isshiu: Being a Translation of the Hyaku-nin-isshiu. Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-4-8053-0853-0
• Mostow, Joshua S., ed. (1996). Pictures of the Heart: The Hyakunin Isshu in Word and Image. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-1705-3; OCLC 645187818
• 新総合 図説国語 新訂版, 東京書籍株式会社, (2016), 池内輝雄・三角洋一・吉原英夫, ISBN 978-4-487-36125-0 SINSOUGOU ZUSETSUKOKUGO revised edition, TOKYO SHOSEKI CO., LTD.(2016), Teruo Ikeuchi・Youichi Misumi・Hideo Yosiwara.
• 古語辞典 第十版, 旺文社, (2008), 松村明・山口明穂・和田利政, ISBN 978-4010721193 KOGOZITEN 10th edition, OBUNSHA(2008), Akari Matsumura・Akiho Yamaguchi・Toshimasa Wada.
• 全訳古語辞典 第四版, 旺文社, (2011), 宮腰賢・石井正己・小田勝, ISBN 978-4010777183 ZENYAKU KOGOZITEN 4th edition, OBUNSYA(2011), Masaru Miyakoshi・Masami Ishii・Masaru Oda

• One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Translation of the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, Peter McMillan, foreword by Donald Keene. New York: Columbia University Press, 2008. ISBN 978-0-231-14398-1
• One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse, Peter McMillan. London: Penguin Classics, 2018. ISBN 9780141395937
• 100 Poets: Passions of the Imperial Court, Emiko Miyashita and Michael Dylan Welch, translators. Tokyo: PIE Books, 2008. ISBN 978-4-89444-757-8 This book is also available as an iPad/iPhone application.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hyakunin Isshu.

Japanese Wikisource has original text related to this article:

小倉百人一首

• Works on the topic Hyakunin Isshu at Wikisource, with English translations of each poem
• Works related to Hyakunin Isshū at Wikisource, with links to published English translations
• Ogura Hyakunin Isshu
• Ogura Hyakunin Isshu - 100 Poems by 100 Poets at University of Virginia Library Japanese Text Initiative
• Ogura Hyakunin Isshu public domain audiobook at LibriVox