おもひ侘び恋路にまよふしるべには涙ばかりぞさきに立ちける

omoiwabi koiji ni mayou shirube ni wa namida bakari zo saki ni tachikeru

Suffering with passion, and Lost upon the paths of love My guide is Simply my tears that Set out before me.

Consultant and Middle Captain Tadanori
9

The reply, written in a style to blend in with the picture on the paper, of a many-petalled safflower, and attached to a stem of bellflower, made from metal.

恋路をばふみだに見じと思ふみに何かはかかる涙なるらん

koiji oba fumi dani miji to omou mi ni nani ka wa kakaru namida naruran

Upon the path of love I’ve not seen you take even one step I feel, so Why might you show such Tears, I wonder?

Kii, in service to the former Kamo Virgin
10