When someone was holding a plant-matching contest, and plants like morning glories were being compared, and a mirror blossom lay near her.
まけがたの耻かしげなる朝顏を鏡草にも見せてける哉
| makegata no Fadukasigenaru asagaFo wo kagamigusa ni mo misetekeru kana |
The loser Seems so bashful: The morning glory To the mirror bloom Has displayed herself! |
Anonymous
When she was alone, an equiry arrived from someone as to how she was, so she attached this to a morning glory and sent it to him.
夕暮のさびしき物は朝顔の花を頼める宿にぞ有りける
| yuFugure no sabisiki mono Fa asagaFo no Fana wo tanomeru yado ni zo arikeru |
The evening is So lonely: A morning glory Bloom alone is trustworthy At my house! |
Anonymous
Topic unknown.
都いでて今日みかの原泉河かは風さむし衣かぜ山
| miyako idete keFu mika no Fara idumigaFa kaFakaze samusi koromo kaseyama |
Departing the capital, Today on Mika meadow, From the River Izumi Chill is the wind, indeed, so Lend me your robe, O Kase Moutain! |
Anonymous
From the Empress’ Poetry Competition in the Engi Period.
夏くれば深草山の郭公鳴く声しげくなりまさるなり
| natu kureba Fukakusayama no Fototogisu naku kowe sigeku narimasaru nari |
When the summer comes, Upon Fukakusa Mountain The cuckoo Calls most lushly Do grow excessive! |
Anonymous
Topic unknown.
飛ぶ鳥の声も聞えぬ奥山の深き心を人は知らなむ
| tobu tori no kowe mo kikoenu okuyama no Fukaki kokoro wo Fito Fa siranamu |
Flying birds’ Song does not reach The mountains’ heart; The depths of my love I would have you know! |
Anonymous
Topic unknown.
津の国のなには思はず山城の鳥羽に逢ひ見むことをのみこそ
| tu no kuni no naniFa omoFazu yamasiro no toba ni aFimimu koto wo nomi koso |
In the land of Tsu, Nothing is in my heart; In Yamashiro, In Toba, would I meet You and that is all! |
Anonymous
Composed on mountains.
三諸つく三輪山見れば隠口の泊瀬の桧原思ほゆるかも
| mimoro tuku miwayama mireba komoriku no patuse no pipara omopoyuru kamo |
When divine-praising Miwa Mountain do I see, Closed in and concealed Hatsuse’s cypress groves Enter my thoughts! |
Anonymous
Topic unknown.
常もなき夏の草葉に置く露を命と頼む蟬のはかなさ
| tune mo naki natu no kusaba ni oku tuyu wo inoti to tanomu semi no Fakanasa |
Upon the ever changing Summer leaves Drips dew: The only fit foundation for The cicadas’ brief life… |
Anonymous
Topic unknown.
誰が里に夜がれをしてか郭公ただここにしも寝たる声する
| ta ga sato ni yokare o site ka Fototogisu tada koko ni simo netaru kowesuru |
At whose home Do you pass the night, O, cuckoo? For it is here, alone That you should sleep and sing! |
Anonymous
Composed on birds.
五月山卯の花月夜霍公鳥聞けども飽かずまた鳴かぬかも
| satukiyama u no panaduku yo pototogisu kikedomo akazu mata nakanu kamo |
In the moutains in the Fifth Month, On moonlit nghts when deutzias bloom To the cuckoo I listen, yet cannot get my fill; O sing for me once more! |
Anonymous