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Hitomaru-eigu (人丸影供) was a type of ritualistic waka composition popular in medieval Japan.

Name

Hitomaru-eigu are also known as Hitomaru-ku (人丸供),[1] Hitomaru-kuyō (人丸供養)[1] or Hitomaro-eigu (人麻呂影供).[1]

Ritual

Hitomaru-eigu involves the collective composition of waka in the form of an uta-awase or uta-kai (歌会)[1] dedicated to the spirit of Kakinomoto no Hitomaro,[2] who was revered as the patron saint of poetry.[2] It was performed before an image of Hitomaro.[3] Dedication of sake or flowers and incense could also be involved.[4]

History

The practice of Hitomaru-eigu flourished from the late Heian period[1] through the middle ages.[4] The first Hitomaru-eigu was held by Rokujō Akisue in 1118 after Hitomaro appeared before him in a dream.[5]

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