Otomo no Tabito Biography | Poet

Otomo no Tabito ( , 665 - August 31, 731) was a Japanese poet, best known as the father of Otomo no Yakamochi, who contributed to compiling the Man'yoshu alongside his father. Tabito was a contemporary of Hitomaro, but lacked his success in the Imperial Court. While serving as Governor-General of Dazaifu, the military procuracy in northern Kyushu from 728-730, Tabito hosted a plum-blossom party, encouraging the composition of poetry among his subordinates in imitation of Chinese style elegance. He also showed his Chinese education in his set of thirteen tanka in praise of sake .