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5 unusual facts about Kamo no Chōmei


Chiteiki

Chiteiki is primarily cited as having a major influence on Kamo no Chōmei's later Hōjōki (written around 1212).

Kamo no Chōmei

In 1160, his father was promoted to junior fourth rank, lower grade, which ultimately led the seven-year old Chōmei to being promoted to fifth rank, junior grade; these were high positions within the Kamo Shrine hierarchy.

He spent the next five years in Ohara, at the foot of Mount Hiei, but considered his time here as a failure, and so he moved to Hino, in the hills southeast of the capital, where he spent the rest of his life.

At the time, the Upper and Lower Kamo Shrines owned large amounts of property around the Kamo River, northeast of the Heian capital (Kyoto), holding great power and pretige among the aristocracy.

The design of the hut he built in Hino was inspired by the dwelling of the Buddhist recluse Vimalakirti.



see also