The Kōshin Rite took place on the Fifth Day of the Fifth Month in 983.

Sanekata’s uncle, Fujiwara no Naritoki 済時, grandfather of the infant prince.

The Fifth Day of the Fifth Month was the date of the Sweet-flag (ayame 菖蒲) festival, when sweet-flags were hung from the eaves of houses in the capital to pray for long life and health. In fact, Sanekata is indulging in some poetic license here, as Atsu’akira was actually born on the 9^th day of the Fifth Month.

Seishi’s son was the ill-fated Prince Atsu’akira 敦明 (994-1051) who was unable to ever become emperor as a result of the machinations of Fujiwara no Michinaga.

A reference to Sanekata’s cousin Seishi (Sukeko) 娍子, the daugher of his uncle Naritoki and a consort to Emperor Sanjō.

The Master of the Single Word, Fitokotonusi no kami 一言主神, is the deity of Mount Kazuragi, which lies on the border or what are now Osaka and Nara prefectures. He famously slandered the wizard En no Gyōja, who bound him with a spell and commanded him to build a stone bridge between Kazuragi and Kibusen. The bridge remains unfinished to this day, as Hitokotonushi would only work at night, as he was ashamed to be seen in his, hideous, true form. In the poem, of course, Hitokotonushi stands in for Toki’akira, failing to get to the lady’s house.

The identity of this lady is uncertain, but it is most likely that she was a lady-in-waiting to Empress Sadako (Teishi).

Minamoto no Toki’akira 源時明: he was appointed assistant governor of Sanuki on the 20th day of the First Month 992, and held the position until 995, dating the poem to this period.

The Kōshin Rite was a periodic religious observance which required people to stay awake all night to ward off illness and ill-luck. This particular one probably took place on the 3^rd day of the First Month 978.

Prince Morosada 師貞, the future Emperor Kazan 花山 (968-1008; r. 984-986).