Abstract
Kukai wrote five poems for the courtier, Yoshimine Yasuyo: Ryo Shoko ni okuru shi (_??__??__??__??__??_) Yama ni iru kyo (_??__??__??_), Sanchu ni nan no tanoshimi aruya (_??__??__??__??__??_), Itazura ni tama o idaku (_??__??__??_), Rahikan no uta (_??__??__??__??_). These five poems are included in the first fascicle of Kukai's Henjo hokki shoryo shu (_??__??__??__??__??__??__??_). All the poems were written at the same time, and the collection together forms a drama, which the present author attempts to arrange and interpret. The author intends to understand Kukai's purpose in writing these poems by examining the introductions to the poems. Based on a study of the phrasing of the poems themselves, a theory of when these poems were composed will be presented. These studies should lead to some understanding of Kukai as a man of letters. The result of this will be a glimpse of some of Kukai's joys and sorrows as he engaged in Buddhist practices both for his own sake and for the sake of others.
