An early Heian monk-poet, born Yoshimine no Munesada, a grandson of Emperor Kanmu. A favored chamberlain of Emperor Ninmyō, he took Buddhist vows when the emperor died in 850, trained on Mount Hiei, founded Gangyō-ji temple and became Archbishop in 885. One of the Six Poetic Geniuses and the Thirty-Six Immortals, he was praised for his technique though faulted for lacking sincerity. His famous poem on the wind and the dancing maidens predates his ordination. Father of the poet Sosei.
天つ風 雲の通ひ路 吹き閉ぢよ
をとめの姿 しばしとどめむ
Ama tsu kaze kumo no kayoiji fukitoji yo / otome no sugata shibashi todomen
Wind of heaven, blow shut the pathway through the clouds — I want to keep the beautiful forms of these heavenly maidens here on earth a little longer.
岩の上に 旅寝をすれば いと寒し
苔の衣を 我に貸さなむ（小町）
世をそむく 苔の衣は ただ一重
かさねばうとし いざ二人寝む（遍昭）
Sleeping on this rock as a traveler, the night is bitter cold — / will you not lend me your robe of moss? (Komachi) / One who has left the world owns but a single robe of moss — / not to lend it would be unkind; come, let us sleep together. (Henjō)