Kamo no Chōmei was a Japanese author and poet from the late Heian period, born in 1155. He is best known for his work, Hōjōki, a short essay that reflects on the impermanence of life and the beauty of nature. Chōmei lived a reclusive life as a hermit, which influenced his writings and philosophical outlook. His experiences in solitude led him to contemplate the transience of human existence and the inevitability of suffering. Hōjōki is celebrated for its lyrical prose and deep insights, making it a significant piece in Japanese literature and a precursor to later works in the Japanese literary tradition.