Izumi Shikibu was a writer, poet, and member of the Japanese court during the Heian Period (794-1185 CE). Her birth date is variously given as sometime in the 970's CE, and she died in the 1030's CE. In her celebrated memoirs, known as the Izumi Shikibu Diary, she recounts episodes from court life and her affairs with two princes. The diary includes many of Izumi Shikibu's poems, which are regarded as amongst the finest ever written in Japan.
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Definition
Timeline
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794 - 1185The Heian Period in ancient Japan.
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c. 1004Japanese poet Izumi Shikibu writes her 'Izumi Shikibu Diary'.
