The article highlights the creative activity of the 77th emperor of Japan, Go-Shirakawa, who ruled from 1158 to 1192. Against the backdrop of political failures, the emperor appears to us as a fine connoisseur of fine arts, poetry and folk performing genres. Among the above, emaki scroll painting and the genre of “newfangled songs” imayō-uta, sung by women of the aso- bi-onna professional group, were under the special patronage of the emperor. A unique feature of the representatives of this group is the combination of both the functions of providing sexual services and the skillful performance of imayō songs. The imayō genre captivated the emperor so much that inspired him to compile the extensive work Ryōjinhishō (12th century), which included collections of song poetry (10 scrolls) and studies of the history of the genre (10 scrolls). Two scrolls from each collection still exist. Within the framework of this article, scroll 10 of the theoretical essay Kudenshū is of interest.