On “Kyuan Hyakushu” by Sutokuin

Focusing on the part of the four seasons and the part of love

Abstract

　First, this paper points out the originality of the ending of the section of spring in “Kyuan Hyakushu” by Sutokuin.　Secondly, it explores the characteristic elements of his waka in the section of the four seasons. Those are the following: three elements from the aspect of “terminology and means of waka” and five elements from the aspect of Sutokuin’s concerns in the creation of waka.　The latter elements appear to show the world of Sutokuin’s mind, where they interact with each other. Thirdly, it points out that in the section of love Sutokuin added love poems based on the knowledge of waka and kanshi (Chinese poetry) to the composition describing the process of love. In the section of love we can notice selfishness, which is not found in common love poems, aggressiveness and solitude behind servility.　This paper also indicates how a waka that depicted the last process of love was revised by Fujiwara Shunzei and included in “Hyakunin Isshu.”