Who is Izumi Shikibu

Izumi Shikibu (Japanese: 和泉式部, born 976?) was a mid-Heian period Japanese poet. She is a member of the Thirty-six Medieval Poetry Immortals (中古三十六歌仙, chūko sanjurokkasen). She was the contemporary of Murasaki Shikibu, and Akazome Emon at the court of empress Joto Mon'in.

She "is considered by many to have been the greatest woman poet of the Heian period". Her legacy includes 242 poems and two kashu."Torn between worldly ties and physical desire, Izumi Shikibu left a wealth of passionate love poetry, fueling rumors that purported that she was a femme fatale with numerous lovers besides her two husbands and two princely lovers.": 155 

Early life

Izumi Shikibu was the daughter of Oe no Masamune, governor of Echizen. Her mother was...
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Izumi Shikibu Poems

• Plum Blossom
  I cannot say
  which is which:
  the glowing
  plum blossom is...
• Although The Wind
  Although the wind
  blows terribly here,
  the moonlight also leaks
  between the roof planks...
• Watching The Moon
  Watching the moon
  at dawn
  solitary, mid-sky,
  I knew myself completely,...
• If The One I've Waited For
  If the one I've waited for
  came now, what should I do?
  This morning's garden filled with snow
  is far too lovely...
• Although I Try
  Although I try
  to hold the single thought
  of Buddha's teaching in my heart,
  I cannot help but hear...

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Izumi Shikibu Quotes

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