Dance of the ButterfliesThe composition of Chinese poetry (kanshi) in the Japanese court dates to the mid seventh century. During the Heian age (7941185), kanshi emerged as one of two preeminent poetic genres employed by aristocrats, scholar officials, and priests; over the centuries it developed into one of Japan's most enduring literary forms. This anthology, comprising some 300 kanshi by 80 poets, is the largest collection of translated kanshi ever produced. It includes