Master Kenshō 阿闍梨顕昭 (?1130-?1209)

Kenshō’s dates are uncertain, although one tradition assigns him a lifespan of about eighty years, as suggested above. He is known to have been the adopted son of Master of the Left Capital Office Fujiwara no Akisuke 藤原顕輔, but his true parentage remains unknown. He appears to have taken orders early and initially studied at the holy sites on Mount Hiei 比叡山, but later moved to Ninna Temple 仁和寺 where he achieved the rank of Master (ajari 阿闍梨), and later Bridge of Law (hokkyō 法橋) – essentially indicating that he was considered erudite enough to teach other monks about scripture. The Ninna Temple had a strong connection with the imperial family, originally being founded by Emperor Uda 宇多 in 888, and at the time of Kenshō’s residence was also the home of Cloistered Prince Shukaku 守覚法親王 (1150-1202) who was renowned for his interest in and skill with poetry. Kenshō, too, excelled in this area, and under Shukaku’s patronage wrote numerous works on poetics and, in his later years, was frequently chosen to be judge at various poetry competitions. In fact, one of his extant works, Kenshō Chinjō 顕昭陳状 recounts his discontent with many of the judgements reached by Shunzei in the Roppyaku-ban Uta Awase.

Kenshō has the following poems in the Roppyaku-ban Uta Awase: