Tag Archives: kaede

Koresada shinnō-ke uta’awase 33

あきくともみどりのかへであらませばちらずぞあらましもみぢならねど

aki ku tomo
midori no kaede
aramaseba
chirazu zo aramashi
momiji naranedo
Autumn comes, yet
The maples in green
Do display themselves, so
I would you not scatter,
For your leaves have not turned scarlet…

65

しづはたにこひはすれどもこぬ人をまつむしのねぞあきはかなしき

shizu wa ta ni
koi wa suredomo
konu hito o
matsumushi no ne zo
aki wa kanashiki
Peasants in the rice-fields
Do fall in love, yet
For a man who fails to come, I
Pine crickets cries make
Autumn all the more sad.

66

Summer I: 3

Left (Tie).

色かへぬよはひは知らず夏木立みどりは松にかはらざりけり

iro kaenu
yowai wa shirazu
natsu kodachi
midori wa matsu ni
kawazarikeri
Are their hues unchanging
Through the ages – that I do no know;
Summer clustered trees’
Green on the pines
Will alter not!

Lord Suetsune.

185

Right (Tie).

あらはれん秋をも知らぬかえでかなときはの色をしばし盗みて

arawaren
aki o mo shiranu
kaede kana
tokiwa no iro o
shibashi nusumite
They’ll be found out!
All unknowing of the autumn are
The maple trees;
The eternal pine trees’ hue
Steal, if only briefly…

Nobusada.

186

The Right simply say, ‘The Left’s poem contains major faults,’ while the Left reply, ‘The Right’s poem’s “maple trees” (kaede kana) and “Steal, if only briefly” (shibashi nusumite) are vulgar in the extreme!’ (By this they mean that nusumu (‘steal’) is inappropriate for poetry, as is the impression given that the maples have volition.)

Shunzei comments, ‘That the Left’s poem contains faults has already been mentioned by the Right. The Right’s poem though has the form of an eccentric poem, and one must wonder about granting sensitivity to maple trees, so the round must tie.’

Summer I: 2

Left (Win).

花はみな散りはてにけり夏木立みどりも春の色ならぬかは

hana wa mina
chirihatenikeri
natsu kodachi
midori mo haru no
iro naranu ka wa
The blossoms have all
Finished falling, but
The summer clustered trees’
Green – of spring
Is it not, too, a shade?

Lord Ari’ie.

183

Right.

夏衣うすもへぎなるわかゝえで秋染めかへむ色ぞゆかしき

natsu koromo
usu moeginaru
waka kaede
akizome kaemu
iro zo yukashiki
The summer garb of
Pale grass-green
Young maple trees
To autumn shades will change;
How I long to see those hues!

Lord Tsune’ie.

184

The Right state, ‘In the previous round there was an assessment that our poem was inappropriate: if so, this poem of the Left’s seems to contain a concealed longing for Spring.’ The Left reply, ‘The previous poem concluded with “sacred groves” (kamunabi no mori). This poem has “Is it not, too, a shade?” (iro naranu ka wa), and so a spirit of appreciation of summer. It is the same as Right’s poem in the previous round.’

Shunzei’s judgement is, ‘Although I have little liking for “summer clustered trees” (natsu kodachi), “green – of spring” (midori mo haru no) seems particularly fine. The Right’s poem does not appear to be appreciating new trees and, saying “To autumn shades will change; How I long to see those hues!” (akizome kaemu iro zo yukashiki) is contrary to the central meaning of the topic. Furthermore, “how I long” (yukashiki) is an unsuitable expression. The Left must win.’