In Japanese literary history, the word chuko is used in the 'Chuko Rokkasen' (six Japanese poets presented in the prelude of Kokinshu, A Collection of Ancient and Modern Poetry in the early Heian period) and the 'Chuko Sanjurokkasen' (Thirty-six Japanese poets of Nochi no Rokurokusen selected by FUJIWARA no Norikane).
日本文学史においては「中古六歌仙」・「中古三十六歌仙」などの語が存在する。