Kin'yō Wakashū

The Kin'yō Wakashū (金葉和歌集, "Collection of Golden Leaves"), sometimes abbreviated as Kin'yōshū, is the fifth Japanese imperial anthology of waka whose two drafts were finished in 1124 and 1127. It was compiled at the behest of the Retired Emperor Shirakawa, by Minamoto no Shunrai (~1055–1129; sometimes called Toshiyori) It consists of ten volumes containing 716 poems.

Shunrai introduced three distinct versions of his collection, each yielding different outcomes. The first version, known as "shodobon (初度本)," predominantly featured poets from the earliest three imperial anthologies—Kokinshu, Gosenshu, and Shuishu—reflecting a conservative approach. However, it failed to gain attention from the court. The second version, "Nidobon (二度本)," encompassed poets from the contemporary period of compilation. Despite facing rejection from Shirawaka, it emerged as the most widely disseminated edition. The third version (Sansōbon 三奏本) struck a balance between the conservatism of the first version and the contemporaneity of the second. Although formally accepted by Shirawaka, its dissemination through the court was hindered by the untimely deaths of both Shunrai and Shirakawa, occurring just two years after its approval.

The Kin'yō Wakashū is one of the shortest anthologies. Shunrai's unusually liberal and innovative tastes were disliked by Shirakawa, and thus Shirakawa rejected "at least two drafts". The final compromise is nevertheless remarkably contemporary and descriptive.