Sugawara no Michizane (845-903), also known as Kan Shōjō, was a well-regarded poet and politician at the Heian court. He wrote the poem on this print at age 11.

The moon glimmers like bright snow
and plum blossoms appear like reflected stars
ah! the golden mirror of the moon passes overhead
as fragrance from the jade chamber fills the garden

The legend is that Michizane fell out of favor at the court, and died a lonely death. His vengeful spirit was unleashed on his enemies in the form of lightning storms. His rank was posthumously restored, and he was deified as Shinto god of scholarship, Tenjin ( �V�_).

Ono no Komachi (825-900), was a celebrated poet and member of the rokkasen. She was said to been beautiful as well as talented but of a somewhat conceited disposition. Her life was featured in a series of seven Noh plays. In the last chapter, Sotōba Komachi "Gravemarker Komachi," two priests encounter an aged Komachi sitting on a grave stone. She reveals herself to them:

Shame covers me when I speak my name;but if you will pray for me, I will try to tell you. This is my name; write it down in your prayer-list: I am the ruins of Komachi, daughter of Ono no Yoshizane, Governor of the land of Dewa.

This image is clearly inspired by the scene in the Noh play. We see an aged Komachi sitting peacefully on a gravemarker in the moonlight.

Taira no Tomoume was a blind warrior who battled the Minamoto in the 12th century. He carries a poem affixed to a stick on his back as his personal emblem.

from darkness

I have wandered lost

on to a darker path

the moon of my heart

is becoming clouded

He is shown here in the midst of a heated battle.

Lord Ko Moronao (d. 1351) was the chief retainer, and later Shitsuji (Shogun's Deputy) of shogun Ashikaga no Takauji (1305-1358). He is remembered in the Taiheiki, a 14th century epic that details the war between Ashikaga no Takauji and then emperor Go-Daigo. The defeat of Go-Daigo resulted in the establishment of the Ashikaga shogunate (1336-1573). Moronao had a reputation for debauchery. In a story from the Taiheiki, Moronao desired the beautiful wife (Lady Kaoyo) of an official, En'ya Takasada. He accused En'ya of treason and later had both En'ya and Lady Kaoyo executed. Here, he hides in the bushes, spying upon Kaoyo.

In the 18th century play, Chūshingura, the principle characters were given alternate names to avoid the sensors. Kira was represented by Moronao, and Asano by En'ya.

The story of Ariko no Naishi is featured in the Tale of the Heiki (Heiki Monogatari).In the Heian era (794-1185), Ariko was a maiden at the famous Itsukushima Shrine. She was skilled with the Biwa, and holds this instrument in this image. She falls in love with Fujiwara (Tokudaiji) no Sanesada (1139-1191), an important official. Hopeless over her unrequited love, she composes a waka poem, throws herself into Lake Biwa, sinking to the bottom. Her story was later retold in a Noh play, Ariko no Naishi.

How hopeless it is

it would be better for me to sink beneath the waves

perhaps then I could see my man from Moon Capital

Miyako, or moon capital, refers to the Heian capital of Kyoto where Sanesada was in residence. This print is one of the best of the series and is featured on the cover of Stevenson's book.

Akazome Emon (956-1041 AD) was an important poet of the Heian period. She is considered the principle author of the Eiga Monogatari, a history of the powerful Fujiwara family. She lived in the household of Fujiwara no Michinaga, and the majority of this work describes the life of Michinaga. This print illustrates one of Akazome's poems:

I wish I had gone to bed immediately

but now the night has passed

and I watch the moon descend.

Akazome, her hair worn long in the Heian fashion, has waited up all night for a lover who did not arrive. She stands here in the doorway, looking out at the moon.