Akazome Emon

[1] She was officially the daughter of Akazome Tokimochi (赤染時用),[1][2] but the late-Heian karonsho (book of poetic criticism) Fukuro-zōshi [ja] records that her biological father was her mother's first husband, Taira no Kanemori.

[1] A poetic exchange between Emon and Fujiwara no Michitaka, dating to around Ten'en 2 (974) to Jōgen 2 (977),[1] when she was likely in her late teens, is the earliest dateable event in her life.

[citation needed] According to her personal waka collection, the Akazome Emon Shū (赤染衛門集), when Masahira was twice sent to serve in Owari Province, she accompanied him both times.

[1][7] The collection also indicates that she worked to ensure her son's professional success at court[1] and presented poems as offerings to Sumiyoshi Shrine[clarification needed] when he fell ill.[1][8][9] The Fukuro-zōshi portrays her as gently supporting her husband when he was overwhelmed by his official duties.

[1][9] She left a personal collection, the Akazome Emon Shū,[1] and she is also believed to have been the writer of the first part of Eiga Monogatari.