For the first time, translations of Japanese treatises on the theory of poetry are presented to the attention of the Russian reader. Japanese theory of poetry - karon - are works of a special nature, not similar to ordinary treatises on the theory of poetry, a separate literary genre. Many of the treatises are small anthologies. The poems are interspersed with theoretical positions that they illustrate. Theoretical provisions, as a rule, are quite laconic, and an extremely important role is given to abundant illustrative poetic material. Contents From the translator Ki-no Tsurayuki. Kokinwakashu. Kanajo (Collection of old and new Japanese songs. Preface) Ki no Yoshimochi. Kokinwakashu. Manajo (Collection of old and new Japanese songs. Preface) Ki no Tsurayuki. Shinsen waka. Jo (A newly selected collection of Japanese songs. Preface) Mibu no Tadamine. Wakatei jisshu (Ten styles of Japanese song) Fujiwara no Kinto. Shinsen zuino (The Essence of Poetry. [Manual], newly compiled) by Fujiwara no Kinto. Waka kuhon (Nine steps of waka) Fujiwara no Teika. Kindai shuka (Beautiful songs of modern times) (Treatise-anthology) Fujiwara no Yoshitsune. Shinkokinwakashu. Kanajo (New collection of old and new Japanese songs. Preface) Gotoba no in. Shinkokinwakashu. Manajo (New collection of old and new Japanese songs. Preface) APPENDICES I.A. Voronina. "Soul" and "appearance" of a Japanese song. Development of literary and aesthetic thought in Japan in antiquity and the Middle AgesI.A. Voronina. Prefaces to "Kokinwakashu" and Chinese influences NOTES Dictionary of Japanese poetological terms and cultural realities of the 6th-13th centuries. (Compiled by I.A. Voronin)Literature (Compiled by I.A. Voronin)Index of names (Compiled by I.A. Voronin)List of illustrations