In the Reign of Emperor Go-Reizei, the courtiers of Her Majesty, the Empress, composed on the topic of ‘enjoying chrysanthemums in the gardens’.
朝まだき八重咲く菊の九重に見ゆるは霜のおけばなりけり
| asa madaki yaFe saku kiku no kokonoFe ni miyuru Fa simo no okeba narikeri |
Yet early in the morning Upon the eight-fold blooming chrysanthemums, A nine-fold layer Can be seen: for frost Has fallen upon them. |
Minister of the Treasury, [Fujiwara no] Nagafusa (1030-1099)
Composed for a scene of the Chrysanthemum Festival for a folding screen on the occasion of the coming of age ceremony of the Sanjō Empress.
我が宿の菊の白露今日ごとに幾世積もりて淵となる覧
| wa ga yado no kiku no siratuyu keFu goto ni iku yo tumorite Futi to naruran |
At my house White dewdrops on the chrysanthemums: Today, above all, I would the ages pile upon each other And become a deep, deep pool! |
Motosuke.
Left (Tie).
契ありてうつろはむとや白菊の紅葉の下の花に咲けん
| chigiri arite utsurowamu to ya shiragiku no momiji no shita no hana ni sakiken |
Was there a pledge, Perhaps, to turn together? White chrysanthemums Beneath the autumn leaves Have burst into bloom. |
73
Right
ゆふづく日うつる木の葉や時雨にしきゞ浪そむる秋の浦風
| yûzuku hi utsuru ko no ha ya shigurenishi kigi nami somuru aki no urakaze |
The setting sun Shines from the leaves, Drenched with drizzle, The trees washed by wavelets As the wind blows cross the bay at Autumn time. |
74
吾妹子がゝづけし綿を取らぬかとみるまで照らす菊の上の露
| wagimoko ga kadukesi wata wo toranu ka to miru made terasu kiku no uFe no tuyu |
My beloved has the blooms Capped with cotton; I’ll not take it Until within my gaze shines Dewfall, atop the chrysanthemums |
Chrysanthemum.
うつろはで散かとぞみる濱風の吹あげにたてる白菊の花
| utsurowade chiru ka to zo miru hama kaze no fukiage ni tateru shiragiku no hana |
Unfading Will they fall? By the beach breeze Blown straight on Fukiage White chrysanthemum blooms. |
ぬれて干す山路の菊もある物を苔の袂はかはくまぞなき
| nurete hosu yamaji no kiku mo aru mono o koke no tamoto wa kawaku ma zo naki |
‘Drying myself, drenched On mountain paths by chrysanthemums’ Is all very well, but My sleeves of moss Are not dry for even a moment! |