Category Archives: Kokinshū

KKS IV: 177

During the Kanpyō Era [889-897], on the night of the Seventh Day, His Majesty [Emperor Uda] commanded the gentlemen waiting upon him to compose poems; Tomonori composed this poem in place of someone else.

天河あさせしら浪たどりつつわたりはてねばあけぞしにける

ama no kaFa
asase shiranami
tadoritutu
watariFateneba
ake zo sinikeru
The River of Heaven has
Shallows-white wave marked-in ignorance
Searching, searching and
Unable to cross, yet
The dawn has broken.

Ki no Tomonori (Fl. ca. ?850-?904)
紀友則

KKS IV: 176

Topic unknown.

こひこひてあふ夜はこよひあまの河きり立ちわたりあけずもあらなむ

koFikoFite
aFu yo Fa koyowi
amanogaFa
kiri tatiwatari
akezu mo aranan
I’ve yearned and yearned and,
Tonight’s the night we meet.
Oh, River of Heaven,
May mist rise across you and,
Let dawn not come!

Anonymous

KKS IV: 173

Topic unknown.

秋風の吹きにし日より久方のあまのかはらにたたぬ日はなし

akikaze no
Fukinisi Fi yori
Fisakata no
ama no kaFara ni
tatanu Fi Fa nasi
Autumn winds
Blew and from that day
From the eternal
Bank of heaven’s river
I have not moved once.

Anonymous

KKS IV: 172

Topic unknown.

きのふこそさなへとりしかいつのまにいなばそよぎて秋風の吹く

kinoFu koso
sanaFe torisika
itu no ma ni
inaba soyogite
akikaze no Fuku
Only yesterday
I planted seedlings
So when did
The rice leaves start rustling amid,
The gusting Autumn wind?

Anonymous