" Asagao "
Morning Glory

The poetry of Japan has been said to have its roots in the human heart and flourishes in the countless leaves of words. Poetry was said to “move the gods”, soften relations between men and women, and calm the hearts of fierce warriors. This was most true during the Heian period (AD 794-1185)- the flower of Japanese literature. Heian Japan was considered the high point o f Japanese aristocracy and culture. The aristocrats who lived during this time considered poetry, music and indeed all the arts, to be the most important human accomplishment.

It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of aesthetic in general, and poetry in particular to the Heian period. A person who was learned and who knew how to write good poetry was highly regarded. The ability to compose verse could determine a man’s position at court and formed the basis of how anyone’s character was judged. At court one might be called upon to demonstrate one’s knowledge of a certain poem on the spot. Highly formal “poetry parties” were staged testing one’s wit and cleverness. An inept poem or misquoted phrase was laughed at or scorned. Poor calligraphy could also ruin a reputation.

The most important writers of the Heian period were women. It is important to understand Heian culture to understand why this was true. Women and men of the Heian aristocracy were strictly segregated. Women were kept away from public gaze. They were seen by only two men in their entire life: their father and their husband. They spent much of their adult life in dark rooms, hidden behind an array of screens, blinds, and fans. As such Heian gentlemen were not very interested in a woman’s physical beauty and rarely had an opportunity to see it. A gentleman was most interested in a woman of impeccable breeding, who wrote beautiful poetry and was skilled at calligraphy. The quality of the initial poem, the reply, the handwriting, the quality and color of the paper on which it was written could make or break an affair.