KKS I: 52

When he was in the presence of the Somedono Empress[1] and, seeing that Her Majesty had placed some cherry blossom in a vase, he composed:

年ふればよはひは老いぬしかはあれど花をし見れば物思もなし

tosi Fureba
yoFaFi Fa oinu
sika Fa aredo
Fana wo si mireba
mono’omoFi mo nasi
The years have passed, and
Aged I have become;
That is so, and yet
When these blossoms I see
Regrets have I not a one.

The Former Grand Minister[2]


[1] Fujiwara no Akirakeiko (Meishi) 藤原明子 (829-900). Daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, and consort of Emperor Montoku.

[2] Fujiwara no Yoshifusa 藤原良房 (804-872).

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