Indeed, kanshi was accorded a higher place than the native waka form until the Kokin Wakashū collection was published in 905. Even before the early Heian period, the word shi (詩) meaning "poetry" was automatically understood to refer to kanshi, while the character 歌 (ka/uta) of waka 和歌 referred to Japanese poetry proper.
Indeed, kanshi enjoyed greater recognition than native waka until the Kokin Wakashū collection was published in 905. Even before the early Heian period, the term "shi" (poetry) was widely understood to refer to kanshi, whereas the character "ka/uta" specifically denoted Japanese poetry.