Inpumon'in no Tayū

The Attendant to Empress Inpu (殷富門院大輔, Inpu-mon'in no Tayū; 1130–1200)^[1] was a Japanese noblewoman and waka poet in the Heian period.^[2][3] She was a daughter of Fujiwara no Nobunari, and, at court, served Princess Ryoshi (known as Inpumon-in), a daughter of Emperor Go-Shirakawa.^[4][5]

Inpumon'in no Tayū in the Ogura Hyakunin isshu.

Poetry was integral to this court, and noble courtier were expected to be skilled poets; writing poetry was an essential part of entertainment, communication, and relationships.^[2] Inpumon-in-no-Tayu belonged to a particular poetry group which focused around the home of poet Shun-e Hoshi - an estate called "the Garden in the Poetic Forest".^[1][2] Members of the group held many poetry contests, for which Inpumon-in-no-Tayu wrote many poems.^[1]

Her work appears in a large number of imperial poetry collections, including Shingoshūi Wakashū, Senzai Wakashū, Shokugosen Wakashū, Gyokuyō Wakashū, Shinsenzai Wakashū, Shinchokusen Wakashū, and others.^[6][3]

Poetry

One of her poems is included in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu:

見せばやな雄島のあまの袖だにも
     ぬれにぞぬれし色はかはらず
misebaya na Ojima no ama no sode dani mo
nure ni zo nureshi iro wa kawarazu
(Senzai Wakashū 14:886)