View source for Izumi Shikibu

*''Japanese'': 和泉式部 ''(Izumi Shikibu)''

Izumi Shikibu is among the most celebrated poetesses of the [[Heian period]]. She is counted among the ''[[Sanjurokkasen|Sanjûrokkasen]]'', or "36 Immortals of Poetry," and was a contemporary of [[Murasaki Shikibu]], author of the [[Tale of Genji]], living around the year 1000.

Born the daughter of a [[Taira clan|Taira]], she married members of the [[Tachibana clan (kuge)|Tachibana]] and [[Fujiwara clan|Fujiwara]] families. Her "name" comes from her father's post in the Department (''bu'') of Rituals (''shiki'') and from the post of her first husband, to the [[Izumi province|province of Izumi]].

Shikibu served [[Fujiwara no Shoshi|Fujiwara no Shôshi]], daughter of [[Fujiwara no Michinaga]], and was very involved in court life, her biography being a virtual who's who of major Heian era figures with whom she had contact. While married to her first husband, [[Tachibana no Michisada]], she had an affair with an Imperial Prince, and then, after the prince's death, with the prince's half-brother.

At court, she had something of a rivalry with Murasaki Shikibu, had contact with [[Sei Shonagon|Sei Shônagon]], and earned praise for her poetry from many, including [[Fujiwara no Kinto]].

Shikibu later married [[Fujiwara no Yasumasa]], and went with him to [[Tango province]], outliving their daughter, and dying around age 50-60.

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==References==
*Plaques on-site at [[Seishin-in]], Kyoto.

[[Category:Women]]
[[Category:Nobility]]
[[Category:Artists and Artisans]]
[[Category:Heian Period]]