, also known as Chitei no Ki, is one of the representative kanbun

Kanbun

The Japanese word originally meant "Classical Chinese writings, Chinese classic texts, Classical Chinese literature". This evolved into a Japanese method of reading annotated Classical Chinese in translation . Much Japanese literature was written in literary Chinese using this annotated style...

 texts of the mid Heian period

Heian period

The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...

. Belonging to the zuihitsu

Zuihitsu

is a genre of Japanese literature consisting of loosely connected personal essays and fragmented ideas that typically respond to the author's surroundings...

 genre, it was written by Yoshishige no Yasutane (:ja:慶滋保胤) in 982. The text is a valuable resource for understanding social issues within the capital at the time.

Background

Yasutane drew inspiration for his text from Bai Juyi's Chi Shang Pian (池上篇) and Kane Akira's book by the same title.

The short text is contained with volume 12 of the Honchō Monzui

Honcho Monzui

is Japanese book of Chinese prose and poetry. It was compiled around the middle of the 11th century during the Heian period by Fujiwara no Akihira.-Composition:...

. It is composed of two major sections. The first is a commentary on problems within the society. Noteworthy are the descriptions of the capital: the west side has gone to ruin and people live crowded on the east side. Due to these issues, in the second half Yasutane goes into seclusion. He builds a small house where he can live a free lifestyle away from worldly cares.

Influences

Chiteiki is primarily cited as having a major influence on Kamo no Chōmei's

Kamo no Chomei

was a Japanese author, poet , and essayist. He witnessed a series of natural and social disasters, and, having lost his political backing, was passed over for promotion within the Shinto shrine associated with his family. He decided to turn his back on society, take Buddhist vows, and became a...

 later Hōjōki

Hojoki

, variously translated as "An Account of My Hut" or "The Ten Foot Square Hut", is an important short work of the Kamakura period in Japan by Kamo no Chōmei. Written in 1212, it describes disasters that befall the people of Kyoto from earthquakes to famine and fire...

(1212). In Hōjōki, Chōmei mimics a number of literary devices found in Chiteiki', describes similar social problems, and eventually goes into seclusion building a small hut.