Ihara Saikaku (井原 西鶴, 1642-1693) was a Japanese poet and creator of the "floating world" genre of Japanese prose.

Sample prose:

Men take their misfortunes to heart, and keep them there. A gambler does not talk about his losses; the frequenter of brothels, who finds his favorite engaged by another, pretends to be just as well off without her; the professional street-brawler is quiet about the fights he has lost; and a merchant who speculates on goods will conceal the losses he may suffer. All act as one who steps on dog dung in the dark. -- Ihara Saikaku, "What the Seasons Brought to the Almanac-Maker" (1686)