Kikusya's biography

1753 (Houreki 3) Age: 1
Kikusya was born in Tasuki, Houhoku-chou, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Her birth name was Michi.
1768 (Meiwa 5) Age: 16
Michi gets married to Rinosuke Murata.
Michi's father, Yoshinaga (later, Ryousa), resumed his position in the Choufu Clan, moving to Choufu (modern Shimonoseki City).
1776 (Anei 5) Age: 24
Michi's husband, Rinosuke, died.
1778 (Anei 7) Age: 26
Michi returned to the Tagami family.
She received the haiku name Kikusya.
1781 (Tenmei 1) Age: 29
In Hagi, Kikusya took the tonsure, and began a solo journey.
1782 (Tenmei 1) Age: 30

She receives the studio name "Ichiji-an."
Her journey took the form of the reverse route of Basyo Matuo's
「Okunohosomichi」(Narrow road to the interior).
1787 (Tenmei 7) Age: 35
She visits Kumamoto, Mt. Aso, Shimabara,
and Saga with Hyakuchabo.
1807 (Bunka 4) Age: 55
Her father, Ryousa, died.
1811 (Bunka 8) Age: 59
She visited Nishi Hongan-ji Temple in Kyoto to take part in a memorial service on the 550th anniversary of Shinran Shounin.
1812 (Bunka 9) Age: 60
She published "Taorigiku" (Hand-picked chrysanthemums), a four-volume
travel journal and poetry collection .
1816 (Bunka 13) Age: 64

Her mother, Taka, died.
1824 (Bunsei 7) Age: 72
She was active composing haiku energetically with her friends
in her hometown, Tasuki.
1825 (Bunsei 8) Age: 73 
Her sister died.
1826 (Bunsei 9) Age: 74
She passed away in Choufu.
Her posthumous Buddhist name is "Ichijian Kikusya Syaku Myo I."

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　English translation: Cheryl Crowley