The Right state: the Left’s poem lacks any sense beyond that provided by the source poem. The Gentlemen of the Left state: the Right’s poem has little conception as a Love poem, other than wanting to announce the fact of it swiftly.
Shunzei’s judgement: love, where one does not know ‘what will become’ or ‘the end’, even if limited to a single night, does not sound that memorable. The import of the Right’s poem sounds particularly pitiable for the woman. Both poems lack style. They should tie.
The Gentlemen of the Right state: the Left’s poem appears somehow reversed. The Gentlemen of the Left state: we find no faults.
Shunzei’s judgement: what do the Gentlemen of the Right mean by saying the Left’s poem ‘seems somehow reversed’? Do they mean that referring explicitly to ‘waiting’ is a fault? The Left’s ‘I have hated, but more unbearable’ (uramishi yori mo warinaki wa) sounds pleasant. The Left should win.
The Right have nothing particular to say about the Left’s poem. The Left simply say that the Right’s poem contains sentiments heard many times before [tsune ni kikinaretaru yoshi].
Shunzei’s judgement: The Left’s poem is nothing remarkable, but I feel it is a little gentler [ima sukoshi otonashikuhaberu]. I must make it the winner.
The Gentlemen of the Left and Right have nothing particular to say.
Shunzei’s judgement: the Left’s ‘so, now’ (iza saraba) seems pleasant. The Right’s poem has a fairly direct style. After comparison, this is a tie again.
The Gentlemen of both Left and Right state: we find nothing worth mentioning in the other team’s poem.
Shunzei’s judgement: in the Left’s poem, the diction of the final phrase ‘these passions, but…’ (omoi nariseba) seems somehow contrary to the sense. I wonder what the colours of the ‘clear cruelty’ (tsuraki keshiki) would look like! The poems must be considered to be of the same level.
The Gentlemen of the Right state: we find no faults worth mentioning in the Left’s poem. The Gentlemen of the Left state: the Right is overly frivolous.
Shunzei’s judgement: the Left, by beginning ‘Should we have a bond’ (chigiri araba) gives an impression that that the poem will be fine, but the final section has little depth, and is only lightly linked with the conception. As for the Right’s poem, if one has ‘lost interest’, there would be no gain in truly pouring out one’s heart! Neither poems sounds like a winner, or a loser.
The Gentlemen of the Right state: the Left’s poem has no defects worth criticising. The Gentlemen of the Left state: the initial and final sections of the Right’s poem lack connection with each other. Does the poem have a conception of hiddenness?
Shunzei’s judgement: The conception and configuration of the Left’s ‘cloud-capped peaks’ first shower of rain’ (kumoiru mine no hatsu shigure) seems charming [kokoro sugata okashiku mie]. On that basis, it should win.
The Gentlemen of the Right state: the Left’s poem is extremely august. The Gentlemen of the Left state: with regard to the Right’s poem – the reason one gives ones name at the ceremony is not for the sake of the Buddhas, is it?
Shunzei’s judgement: the final section of the Left’s poem recollects the strict spiritual practice of Siddhārtha. The Right have raised some questions over the purpose or announcing one’s name, but I do not find the reference problematic here. In addition, while the Left’s ‘Names have I heard’ (na sae kikitsuru) lacks profundity [koto asakeredo], the final section is in accordance with correct understanding. There is no winner or loser this round.