Born of Princess Kagami, Nukata became Emperor Temmu's favorite wife, and would bear him Princess Tōchi (who would become Emperor Kōbun's consort). She at first enjoyed the favor of Emperor Temmu, but later became one of the consorts of Emperor Tenji, Emperor Temmu's elder brother. It is unknown whether this change in relationships was voluntary or forced. After the death of Emperor Tenji, she was reunited with Emperor Temmu.
As one of the great female poets of her time, a total of thirteen of her poems appear in the Man'yōshū: #7-9, 16-18, 20, 112, 113, 151, 155, 488, and 1606. (#1606 is a repeat of #488.) Two of these poems are reprinted in later poetry collections Shinchokusen Wakashū and Shinshūi Wakashū. Poem #9 is well known as one of the most difficult poems within the Man'yōshū to interpret.
Notes
References
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- pg 140 of Woman poets of Japan, 1977, Kenneth Rexroth, Ikuko Atsumi, ISBN 0-8112-0820-6; previously published as The Burning Heart by The Seabury Press.
- pg 103 of Seeds in the Heart
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