early Heian period · dates unknown (late 9th c. – early 10th c.)Priest Sosei

An early Heian monk-poet, born Yoshimine no Harutoshi, son of Archbishop Henjō. Ordained at his father's wish, he lived at Urin-in in the capital and later at a temple in Yamato. He enjoyed the favor of Emperors Uda and Daigo and is counted among the Thirty-Six Immortals. With thirty-six poems in the Kokinshū, he is the best-represented poet in that anthology apart from its compilers. His Hyakunin Isshu poem, written in a woman's voice, describes waiting all night for a lover who promised to come at once.