Shune (俊恵)

Shune (1113 - ca. 1191) was a priest and poet in the late Heian period. His father was MINAMOTO no Toshiyori. His mother was the daughter of TACHIBANA no Atsutaka. He became a priest at the Todai-ji Temple at an early age and was called Shune-hoshi (Shune the Priest). He frequently hosted poetry gatherings and contests at his residence named 'Karin-en,' inviting a number of poets like FUJIWARA no Kiyosuke, MINAMOTO no Yorimasa, and INBUNMONIN no Taifu (Daifu). He thus greatly inspired the world of poetry.

His poems were included in the imperial anthologies from 'Shika Wakashu' (the Collection of Verbal Flowers) onwards. He compiled some anthologies like 'Kaensho' and 'Karinsho' as well as 'Rinyo Wakashu,' a collection of his own verses.

[Original Japanese]