Shinkei (1406-75), one of the most brilliant poets of medieval Japan, is a pivotal figure in the development of renga (linked poetry) as a serious art. Shinkei's life and work also provide a vivid portrayal of a tumultuous period of Japanese history that was one of the defining moments of its culture. The book is in two parts. The first part is a literary biography based primarily on Shinkei's own writings. The second part consists of annotated translations of Shinkei's most representative poetry. Throughout, the author seeks to define and clarify 'linked poetry'.