Abstract: When writing The History of Japanese Poetry, the Mid-Edo Japanese scholar Emura Hokkai (1707-1782) was deeply influenced by Shi Sou (An Anthology of Poetry) compiled by Chinese Ming-Dynasty scholar Hu Yingling's (1551-1602). In compiling method, Emura's History of Japanese Poetry was written in the way that integrated narration of history through poetry commentaries with biographical history. In thematic treatment, Emura developed Hu's concept of "qi yun" (spirit-mores) and proposed the concept of "shi dao" (generation-way), claiming that Hu's concept of "qi yun" was inherited by the Japanese and became the fundamental reason for the Japanese to develop its own poetics that grounded in "shi dao". In terms of poetic aesthetics, Emura integrated Hu's idea that tonal pattern and rhyme scheme represent the spirit with Japanese aesthetic concept of "aware (哀れ)" and proposed his criteria of poetic criticism. In conclusion, Hu Yinglin's Shi Sou provided a norm for Emura Hokkai to write The History of Japanese Poetry.

Key words: Shi Sou (An Anthology of Poetry), The History of Japanese Poetry, the concept of "qi yun (spirit-mores)", comparative Chinese poetics, poetic aesthetics