Round Twenty-Five

Left

うちしぐれものさびしかるあしのやのこやのねざめにみやここひしも

uchishigure mono sabishikaru ashi no ya no koya no nezame ni miyako koishi mo

A slight shower is All the more lonely In a reed-roofed Hut in Koya, starting awake and Longing for the capital more…

Lord Sanesada
99

Right

あはれにもよはにすぐなるしぐれかななれもやたびのそらにいでつる

aware ni mo yowa ni sugu naru shigure kana nare mo ya tabi no sora ni idetsuru

How sad is At midnight a passing Shower! Have you, too, on a journey Into the skies departed?

Lord Toshinari
100

The configuration of the Left’s poem, beginning with ‘All the more lonely’ and concluding with ‘Longing for the capital more’, has already penetrated the boundaries of mystery and depth. It sounds particularly pleasant. The poem of the Right is the judge’s own meagre work. Thus, in accordance with precedent I shall refrain from rendering a judgement.