Composed on the moon as a friend over many autumns at the poetry competition in the Poetry Office on the evening of the 15th of the Eighth Month.
たかさごの松もむかしになりぬべしなをゆくすゑは秋のよの月
| takasago no matsu mo mukashi ni narinubeshi nao yukusue wa aki no yo no tsuki |
The Takasago Pines will in the past Recede, no doubt; Still into the future passes The moon on Autumn nights. |
The Monk Jakuren
寂蓮
Sent to a man who returned home, saying she had been slow to open her gate.
長しとて明ずやはあらむ秋の夜は待てかし槇のと計をだに
| nagasi tote akezu ya Fa aramu aki no yo Fa mate kasi maki no to bakari wo dani |
It lasts long, they say, Without a hint of light, I think? On an Autumn night Wait awhile! Until my cedarwood Door opens, at least! |
Izumi Shikibu
和泉式部
Composed when a man whom she had promised to meet about the 20th of the month said it was a long time to wait.
君はまだ知らざりけりな秋の夜の木の閒の月は廿日にぞ見る
| kimi Fa mada sirazarikeri na aki no yo no ko no ma no tuki Fa Fatuka ni zo miru |
You don’t yet Know it, do you? On an autumn night Between the trees the moon May fleetingly be seen. |
Izumi Shikibu
和泉式部
Composed on an occasion when people were gathered in the Thunder Court and composing poems in praise of autumn nights.
かくばかりをしと思ふ夜をいたづらにねてあかすらむ人さへぞうき
| kaku bakari osi to omoFu yo wo itadurani nede akasuran Fito saFe zo uki |
On such a Wonderful night, Spent idly Sleepless, the dawn Pains one all the more. |
Ōshikōchi no Mitsune (Fl. 898-922)
凡河内躬恒