During the reign of former Emperor Ichijō, around the time Her Majesty, the Empress, first made the acquaintence of Sei Shōnagon, she had to leave for two or three days in the Third Month, and this was sent to her from Her Majesty.
いかにして過ぎにし方を過ぐしけんくらしわづらふ昨日今日かな
| ika ni site suginisi kata wo sugusiken kurasiwaduraFu kinoFu keFu kana |
What ever was The way I spent my time before? And, how can I pass it now? Suffering in darkness Have these days gone by… |
Her Majesty, the Empress [Sadako]