Okura, also known as Yamanoue no Okura (山上 憶良, c. 660–733?), was a Japanese poet who is best known for his contributions to the Manyoshu, the oldest existing collection of Japanese poetry. He served as a courtier during the Nara period and was of Korean descent. Okura is distinguished by his Chinese-influenced poetic style and the themes of his poems, which often reflect on moral issues, the hardships of the common people, and the impermanence of life. His work provides a unique perspective on the society and culture of early Japan, blending elements of Chinese Confucian thought with Japanese sensibilities. The exact details of his life are not well-documented, but his poetry has left an indelible mark on the history of Japanese literature.