Composed on the daughter of the dragon king becoming a buddha.
わたつ海の底のもくづと見し物をいかでか空の月と成るらん
| wata tu umi no soko no mokudu to misi mono wo ikade ka sora no tuki to naruran | In the broad sea sweep’s Depths among the seaweed Did she appear to be, so How is it that within the skies A moon she might become? |
Dharma Master Shōchō
Composed when viewing the blossom at the Enshūji and recalling former Emperor Gosanjō.
うゑおきしきみもなきよにとしへたる花は我が身のここちこそすれ
| ueokishi kimi mo naki yo ni toshi hetaru hana wa wa ga mi no kokochi koso sure | You planted them here, My Lord, though gone from this world, These many years past— The flowers and my sorry self Both feel the same… |
The Third Prince
三の宮
Composed on plovers on the road to the barrier.
あはぢしまかよふちどりの鳴く声にいくよねざめぬすまの関もり
| awajishima kayou chidori no naku koe ni ikuyo nezamenu suma no sekimori | Around Awaji Isle The plovers fly about; Their calling cries Start him awake on how many nights— The barrier warden of Suma? |
Minamoto no Kanemasa
Composed on blossom fallen on the water.
はなさそふあらしやみねをわたるらんさくらなみよるたにがはのみづ
| Fana sasoFu arasi ya mine wo wataruran sakuranami yoru tanigaFa no midu | Enticing the blossom Is it the storm wind upon the peak That passes o’er The cherry waves breaking In the waters of a valley stream? |
Lord Minamoto no Masakane
The first time he spoke with Kamo no Narisuke, he took a shallow wine-cup and composed:
ききわたるみたらしがはの水きよみそこのこころをけふぞみるべき
| kikiwataru mitarashigawa no mizu kiyomi soko no kokoro o kyō zo mirubeki | Listening, The River Mitarashi’s Waters are so pure That to the bottom of my heart I can see today. |
Kunimoto, the Governor of Tsu
Composed when at a stone hermitage at Ōmine practicing his devotions.
草のいほなに露けしと思ひけむもらぬいはやも袖はぬれけり
| kusa no iFo nani tuyukesi to omoFikemu moranu iFaya mo sode Fa nurekeri | A hut of straw Is dew-drenched You might think, but though Nothing drips into my hut of stone My sleeves are soaked, indeed! |
Archbishop Gyōson
Composed on seeing cherry blossom unexpectedly at Ōmine.
もろともにあはれとおもへ山ざくらはなよりほかにしる人もなし
| morotomo ni aFare to omoFe yamazakura Fana yori Foka ni siru Fito mo nasi | Won’t you as well Feel kind, O, mountain cherry? For other than your blossom, I have no acquaintances here at all… |
Archbishop Gyōson
Composed on hawking in the snow.
ぬれぬれもなほかりゆかむはしたかのうはげの雪をうちはらひつつ
| nurenure mo naFo kariyukamu Fasitaka no uFage no yuki wo utiFaraFitutu | Drenched, but even so Let us still hunt on! From my sparrowhawk’s Plumage the snow I’ll ever brush! |
Minamoto no Michinari
