The flower blooms are washed away in vain,
I spend the length of my days gazing on the endless rain.

This is the defining piece of Waka poetry by Ono no Komachi, included in the classical Japanese anthology, Hyakunin Isshu.

“As the beautiful flowers are swept away beneath the endless fall of rain, so too my beauty fades as I grow older. Our vain display, for nothing...”

One theory suggests that Ono no Komachi served as lady of the court for Emperor Ninmyō. A lady of the court is like a personal assistant to the emperor, serving him in different ways like changing the emperor's clothes. As they spent much time together, Emperor Ninmyō eventually became affectionate towards her.

And so the legends of Ono no Komachi began to spread-- a beautiful woman adored by Emperor Ninmyō and a gifted Waka poet of unsurpassed talent. The legends spread near and far, throughout time and space-- of a proud woman of “beauty” and “talent”, who could toy with any man she chooses. But in the end, fate left her to die old, ugly, and alone, a tragic end to a beautiful legend of a woman...

Legends like these are all that remain to keep her spirit alive. It’s also possible that the stories are not just from one woman but a few women, combined together to make up the legends of Komachi.

It’s said that Komachi spent her last years here at Zuishin-in, after the death of Emperor Ninmyō and the end of her time as a servant to the court. Once we visit the famous spots of this temple, you’ll be able to come up with your image of Ono no Komachi.

Let’s start with a story from Ono no Komachi herself.