Introduction
Part I: Allegory and the commentary tradition in poetry and noh
Establishing the frame: Allegory, commentary, narihira
Six poetic modes: A medieval understanding of allegory
Zenchiku, Meishukushu, and allegoresis
Part II: Ise Monogatari commentaries and Noh
Early Noh and medieval commentaries on Ise Monogatari
A storm of blossoms: An unstable Narihira in Unrin'in
Spellbound by blossoms: Oshio as political and religious allegory
Color of love: Desire and enlightenment in Kakitsubata
Part III: Kokinshu commentaries and Noh
Turning damsel flowers into lotus blossoms: Female soteriology in Ominameshi
Emerging from the waves: Sumiyoshi as protector of Japan in Haku Rakuten.