The Tosa Diary

no Tsurayuki Ki (872 - 945)
Translated by William N. Porter ( - 1929)

Ki no Tsurayuki was a Japanese waka poet of the Heian period. In 905, he was one of the poets ordered to compile the "Kokinshu - Collected Japanese Poems of Ancient and Modern Times". He is also one of the Thirty-six Poetry Immortals of Japan.

The Tosa Diary, written in 935, is considered the major work of Ki. It is an account of his return to the capital Kyoto from Tosa province, where he had served as governor since 930. The journey is by boat, and Ki no Tsurayuki tells about his sea sickness and fear of pirates, his impressions of the coast, and the various offerings to placate the gods of the sea. The Tosa Diary is written entirely in kana (the women's alphabet) and contains many poems composed by Ki during the journey.

Genre(s): Memoirs, Middle Ages/Middle History, Asian Antiquity

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Introduction Availle
00:09:15
Play 01 January 18 - February 7 Availle
00:16:14
Play 02 February 8 - February 18 Availle
00:16:52
Play 03 February 19 - March 1 Availle
00:14:42
Play 04 March 2 - March 12 Availle
00:18:34
Play 05 March 13 - March 23 Availle
00:14:15