Otomo no Kuronushi

Years of birth and death unknown. A poet of the early Heian period. One of the Six Immortal Poets. There are various theories about his identity, such as that he was a descendant of Emperor Kobun (Honcho Koin Jounroku) or the third son of Sarumaru Dayu (Kokinshu Mokuroku), but it is not certain. From his works, he is known as a local poet of a local lord who lived in Omi. Around 887 (Ninna 3), he contributed poetry to the Chujo no Miyasudokoro no Utaawase (Poetry Contest for Middle Captain's Wife), in 897 (Kanpei 9) he submitted a poem to the Daijoe ceremony for Emperor Daigo, and in 917 (Engi 17) he composed a poem at Uchide Beach when Emperor Uda visited Ishiyama-dera Temple. Regarding his style of poetry, Ki no Tsurayuki wrote in the preface written in kana to the Kokinshu, "Otomo no Kuronushi's manner is soothing. It is like a mountaineer carrying firewood resting in the shade of flowers." In the Noh play "Shiga," Kuronushi plays the shite role, and in "Soushiarai Komachi" he appears as a villain (waki) who humiliates Komachi.

When I miss you and long for you, the first wild geese fly by and cry. Who would have known? (Kokinshu, Love 4)
[Inukai Ren]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

生没年未詳。平安前期の歌人。六歌仙の一人。弘文(こうぶん)天皇の末裔(まつえい)（『本朝皇胤紹運録(ほんちょうこういんじょううんろく)』）、猿丸大夫(さるまるだゆう)の第3子（『古今集目録』）などの諸説があるが、さだかでない。作品から近江(おうみ)在住の土豪的地方歌人と知られる。887年（仁和3）ごろ「中将御息所歌合(ちゅうじょうのみやすどころのうたあわせ)」に詠進、897年（寛平9）醍醐(だいご)天皇の大嘗会(だいじょうえ)に風俗歌(ふぞくうた)を奉り、また917年（延喜17）宇多(うだ)法皇の石山寺参詣(さんけい)のおり、打出(うちで)の浜で和歌を献じている。歌風については、紀貫之(きのつらゆき)が『古今集』仮名序で、「大友黒主はそのさまいやし。いはば薪(たきぎ)負へる山人の花の蔭(かげ)に休めるがごとし」と評している。能『志賀』は黒主をシテとし、『草子洗小町(そうしあらいこまち)』には小町を辱める悪役（ワキ）として登場する。

　思ひいでて恋しきときは初雁(はつかり)のなきて渡ると人知るらめや（『古今集』恋4）
［犬養　廉］

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