Hitomaru-eigu

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]

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]

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]