About Kojijū
Lived 1121 – 1202 (aged 80–81). Kojijū was a Japanese poet, writer and waka poet.
Kojijū (小侍従; 1121–1202 CE) (also Matsuyoi no Kojijū) was a waka poet and Japanese noblewoman active in the late Heian period.
Her father was Ki no Mitsukiyo, and her mother was the poet Hanazono Sadaijinke no Kodaishin.
As a lady-in-waiting, she served the twice-empress Fujiwara no Tashi (who was wife, successively, to Emperor Konoe and Emperor Nijō), as well as in the court of the retired Emperor Takakura. During this time, courtiers were expected to be skilled poets, and a great deal of court life involved composing and exchanging poetry, as well as participating in poetry contests.
In 1179, she became a Buddhist nun.
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Important facts
People in Kojijū's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Kojijū?
waka poet and Japanese noblewoman active in the late Heian period
When was Kojijū born?
Kojijū was born in 1121.
When did Kojijū die?
Kojijū died in 1202.
What was Kojijū's occupation?
Kojijū was a poet, writer and waka poet.
What nationality was Kojijū?
Kojijū was Japanese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Kojijū. https://biography.guide/kojiju/
MLA: "Kojijū." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/kojiju/.
Chicago: "Kojijū." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/kojiju/.
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