On waiting for love through the years, when folk had composed poetry.[i]
故郷のあさぢが露にむすぼほれひとりなく虫の人をうらむる
| furusato no asaji ga tsuyu ni musubōre hitori naku mushi no hito o uramuru | At this ancient estate The cogon grass by dew Is held fast, as All alone a single insect cries, Hating that man… |
513
Orange blossom at an ancient estate.
いにしへをしのぶとなしにふる里のゆふべの雨ににほふたち花
| inishie o shinobu to nashi ni furusato no yūbe no ame ni niou tachibana | Bygone days I do not recall, but At an ancient estate In the evening rain Comes the scent of orange blossom.[i] |
[i] This poem functions as a reply to: Topic unknown. さつきまつ花橘のかをかげば昔の人の袖のかぞする satsuki matsu / hana tachibana no / ka o kageba / mukashi no hito no / sode no ka zo suru ‘Awaiting the Fifth Month / The orange blossoms’ / Scent fills the air, and / Folk from long ago / With their perfumed sleeves come back to me.’ Anonymous (KKS III: 139).
On a folding screen for the Kamo Virgin, for the place showing people going along a mountain path.
ちりちらずきかまほしきをふるさとの花見て帰る人もあはなん
| tiritirazu kikamaFosiki wo Furusato no Fana mitekaFeru Fito mo aFanan | Are they scattered, or not, is What I would ask, but The ancient estate’s Blossom having seen and returned– Those folk I would have you meet. |
Ise
Plum blossom at an ancient estate.
たれにかもむかしをとはむ故郷の軒ばの梅は春をこそしれ
| tare ni kamo mukashi o towamu furusato no nokiba no ume wa haru o koso shire | Who is it that Of days long gone I might enquire? At this ancient estate The plum beneath the eaves Knows spring well, yet… |
Plum blossom at an ancient estate.
ふる郷にたれしのべとか梅のはなむかしわすれぬかににほふらん
| furusato ni tare shinobedo ka ume no hana mukashi wasurenu ka ni niouran | At this ancient estate Who is it I recall? The plum blossom Unforgettable days gone by With fragrance seems to bring to life. |
