Manyoshu
The Man'yōshū is Japan’s oldest anthology of poetry, compiled between the 7th and 8th centuries. It contains approximately 4,500 poems by people from a wide range of social backgrounds, from emperors and aristocrats to commoners. It is thought to have been completed around 759, with Ōtomo no Yakamochi generally regarded as its principal compiler, although the details of its compilation remain uncertain. The anthology consists of 20 volumes and includes various categories, such as miscellaneous poems, poems of love and courtship, and elegies, as well as diverse poetic forms including chōka, tanka, and sedōka. By bringing together songs and poems passed down among clans and at the imperial court, it provides valuable insight into the beliefs, daily lives, and views of nature of people in ancient Japan.
Kokin Wakashu
Compiled under the order of Emperor Daigo, it contains waka poems from earlier periods up to the compilers' time, including works not selected for the Manyoshu. The four compilers were Ki no Tsurayuki, Ki no Tomonori (who died during compilation), Mibu no Tadamine, and Ono no Yukinari.
Taketori Monogatari
Considered the oldest fictional tale in Japan. Both its author and date of creation are unknown. It is one of the earliest narratives written using kana script.
Ise Monogatari
A poetic narrative from the early Heian period, also known as 'Zaigo no Monogatari' and 'Diary of the Middle Captain'. The author is unknown. Composed of 125 episodes, it follows the life of a man from youth to death through prose and waka poetry. Many poems by Ariwara no Narihira are included, and the protagonist is portrayed as a reflection of him. It greatly influenced later literature, including The Tale of Genji, as an ideal depiction of romantic elegance.
Yamato Monogatari
It is a uta monogatari (poem tale) that was composed from the early to middle Heian period. It is believed to have been established around the latter half of the 10th century, although its author is unknown. The work consists mainly of stories about love and relationships between men and women in the imperial court and aristocratic society, accompanied by waka poems and anecdotes related to them. Influenced by The Tales of Ise, it also contains many stories that seem to depict real historical figures, making it an important work for understanding the aristocratic society and views on love of the time.
Kagero Nikki
Kagerō Nikki is a diary work written by the mother of Fujiwara no Michitsuna during the middle of the Heian period. Focusing on her married life with Fujiwara no Kaneie, it portrays approximately twenty years of her life, including her anguish and jealousy over her husband's changing affections, her loneliness, life as a mother, and her thoughts on religious faith. Believed to have been completed in the latter half of the 10th century, the work is significant for its candid portrayal of a woman's inner life and had a major influence on later literature, including The Tale of Genji.
Makura no Soshi
Written by Sei Shōnagon in the mid-Heian period, The Pillow Book is a collection of essays centered on the aesthetic sensibility of “okashi,” depicting court life, nature, human behavior, and other aspects of life. It is believed to have been written from the late tenth to the early eleventh century, when Sei Shōnagon served Empress Teishi, the consort of Emperor Ichijō. The work consists of various sections, including categorized lists, diary-like passages, and personal reflections. It is characterized by keen observation and concise expression, and is regarded as one of the representative works of Heian literature.
Genji Monogatari
The Tale of Genji is a long narrative written by Murasaki Shikibu during the mid-Heian period. Through the lives and romances of Hikaru Genji and his descendants, it depicts aristocratic society and the transience of human life.
Sarashina Nikki
A memoir-like diary written by Sugawara no Takasue no Musume during the middle of the Heian period. It recounts approximately forty years of her life, beginning with her journey from the eastern provinces to Kyoto as a young girl, and covering her longing for literary tales, service at court, marriage, the loss of her husband, and her awakening to religious faith. The work is believed to have been completed in the early 11th century, toward the end of the author's life, and is also significant for its portrayal of her deep admiration for works such as The Tale of Genji.
Shin Kokin Wakashu
A collection of imperially commissioned waka poems compiled in the early Kamakura period. Commissioned by Retired Emperor Go-Toba, it was compiled around 1205 by Fujiwara no Teika, Fujiwara no Ietaka, Minamoto no Michitomo, Fujiwara no Ariie, Jakuren, and others. While inheriting the poetic tradition established since the Kokin Wakashū, it contains many delicate and highly sophisticated poems emphasizing yūgen (mysterious depth) and yūshin (profound poetic feeling). Consisting of 20 volumes and approximately 2,000 poems, it is the final and one of the most celebrated anthologies of the Eight Imperial Anthologies.
Heike Monogatari
The Tale of the Heike is an epic war chronicle depicting the rise and fall of the Taira clan in the late Heian period. Set against the Genpei War, it traces the Taira clan’s rise to power under Taira no Kiyomori and their eventual downfall at the Battle of Dan-no-ura. Centered on the Buddhist concept of impermanence, symbolized by the famous opening lines about the bells of Gion Shōja, the work vividly portrays the courage of warriors and the sorrow of those caught in the turmoil of war. It is one of Japan’s most renowned works of classical literature.
Izayoi Nikki
It is a travel diary written by Abutsu-ni in the late Kamakura period. The work centers on her journey from Kyoto to Kamakura to pursue a legal dispute over the inheritance of her late husband Fujiwara no Tameie. In addition to describing her journey and life in Kamakura, she expresses her feelings through waka poems, making it a valuable work for understanding the lives of women and society at the time.
Tsurezuregusa
An essay collection traditionally attributed to Yoshida Kenko. Along with The Pillow Book and Hojoki, it is considered one of the three greatest Japanese essay works.
Masukagami
Masukagami is a historical tale written during the Northern and Southern Courts period, depicting approximately 150 years of Japanese history from the reign of Emperor Go-Toba to that of Emperor Go-Daigo. It is believed to have been completed in the latter half of the 14th century, although its author remains unknown, with Nijō Yoshimoto among the figures proposed as possible authors. It is one of the “Kagami” (Mirror) tales, following Ōkagami, Imakagami, and Mizukagami, and portrays events and figures of court society through a combination of historical narrative and waka poetry.
Ugetsu Monogatari
A major yomihon work written by Ueda Akinari during the late Edo period. It remains highly influential in modern Japanese literature.