Princess Shikishi

(c. 1140 - 1201)

There are large gaps in the record of Princess Shikishi’s life: she was a daughter of Emperor Goshirakawa, became through a process of divination a high priestess of the Kamo shrines in 1159, and took Buddhist vows in the 1190s, assuming the name Shōnyohō. From her work’s inclusion in various early Japanese poetry anthologies, it is clear that she was well respected in her lifetime. Princess Shikishi composed in the 5-7-5-7-7-syllable tanka form.