New Year Archery
すべらぎのむつのまぼりのあづさゆみけふここのへにひきつらぬらし
suberagi no
mutsu no mabori no
azusayumi
kyō kokonoe ni
hikitsuranurashi | His Majesty’s
Six guardians’
Catalpa bows
Today within the ninefold walls
Seem to have been drawn. |
Heat haze.
はるるひの野べのかすみのうすごろも袖にみだれてあそぶいとゆふ
haruru hi no
nobe no kasumi no
usugoromo
sode ni midarete
asobu itoyū | The clearing sun
Upon the plains with mist’s
Scanty garb’s
Sleeves all tangled
With heat haze. |
545
'Simply moving and elegant'