Composed when cherry blossom was falling profusely in her garden.
風だにも吹き拂はずば庭櫻ちるともはるのうちはみてまし
| kaze dani mo Fuki FaraFazuba niFazakura tiru tomo Faru no uti Fa mitemasi |
AIf the wind, at least, Does not blow clean My garden cherries, Fall they may, but while Spring Lasts, I would gaze upon them. |
Izumi Shikibu
和泉式部
Composed for a folding screen picture, showing regret for the falling cherry blossoms.
山里に散り果てぬべき花故に誰とはなくて人ぞまたるゝ
| yamazato ni tiriFatenubeki Fana yuFe ni tare to Fa nakute Fito zo mataruru |
About this mountain dwelling Have fallen all, it seems, Of the blossoms, so Somehow, I am awaiting one who must come. |
Minamoto no Michinari (d. 1019)
Composed for a picture of peach blossom on a folding screen in the Tenryaku Period (947-957).
あかざらば千代までかざせ桃の花花も變らじ春も絶えねば
| akazaraba ti yo made kazase momo no Fana Fana mo kaFarazi Faru mo taeneba |
If you cannot get your fill, For a thousand years, a garland wear, Of peach blossom; For the flowers will not age, And Spring will be unceasing. |
She had gone on a pilgrimage to a distant place and, on her way back home, composed this gazing at some mountain cherries.
都人いかゞと問はゞ見せもせむかの山櫻ひとえだもがな
| miyako Fito ikaga to toFaba mise mo semu kano yamazakura Fito eda mo gana |
If capital folk Should ask, ‘How were they?’ I would rather show them; Of yonder mountain cherry, A single sprig is what I need. |
Izumi Shikibu
和泉式部
Topic unknown.
梅の香を櫻の花ににほはせて柳がえだにさかせてしがな
| mume no ka wo sakura no Fana ni niFoFasete yanagi ga eda ni sakasetesi gana |
The scent of plum From cherry blossoms Wafting a perfumed glow, On willow branches I would set them to bloom. |
Nakahara no Munetoki (960-1011)