Early Women Writers

Princess Oku

Asuka (in modern day Nara prefecture),Ise Grand Shrine (in modern day Mie Prefecture)

661-701

Princess Oku takes her name from the Oku Sea where she was born on a ship destined for Kyushu. At the age of twelve she was appointed the high priestess of the Grand Shrine of Ise. She composed several heartfelt songs for brother, Prince Otsu, who was embroiled in an alleged plot and executed. Following his death, Oku returned to the imperial capital in Asuka where she composed her poems, which were later included in the Man'yoshu. [Source: Sato, Hiroaki. Japanese Women Poets: An Anthology. New York: Routledge, 2015.]

Japanese

Poetry

Sato, Hiroaki. Japanese Women Poets: An Anthology. New York: Routledge, 2015.