Tag Archives: Fujiwara no Kanesuke

GSS XV: 1102

At the time when the Grand Minister (Fujiwara no Tadahira) was Major Captain of the Left, on the day he was host to the winners of the Sumai Festival, the Middle Captain (Kanesuke) went and when all was done and everyone was heading home in the morning, two or three of the best remained, host and guests, and after drinking a great deal more, he mounted his horse, drunk, and when he was talking of his children, said:

人の親の心は闇にあらねども子を思ふ道にまどひぬるかな

Fito no oya no
kokoro Fa yami ni
aranedomo
ko wo omoFu miti ni
madoFinuru kana
A parent’s
Heart in darkness
May not be, yet
Fondly thinking on his child, his way
Has he lost, indeed…

Fujiwara no Kanesuke

GSS I: 17

He had planted some plum trees with crimson blossoms in his garden and, when they were late to bloom the following Spring…

宿ちかく移して植へしかひもなく待ち遠にのみにほふ花哉

yado tikaku
utusite uFesi
kaFi mo naku
matidowo ni nomi
niFoFu Fana kana
Closer to my home
I brought them and replanted,
But to no avail;
All they do is keep me waiting,
Those lustrous flowers!

Fujiwara no Kanesuke (877-933)