Composed when deep in thought.
紅の八しほの衣朝な朝な馴れはすれどもいやめづらしも
| kurenawi no yasipo no koromo asana asana nare pa suredomo iya medurasi mo | In safflower Dipped many times, my robe Worn morn after morn Has familiar wrinkles, yet Is all the more dear for that… |
Love Closely Nearby.
紅の裾引くほどの宿なれど色にいでなば人に知られじ
| kurenawi no suso Fiku Fodo no yado naredo iro ni idenaba Fito ni shirarezi | Her scarlet Hem could I tug upon, so close Do we dwell, yet If my passion’s hues were to show, I would folk did never know… |
Fujiwara no Kiyosuke (1104-1177)
藤原清輔
紅はうつろふものぞ橡のなれにし来ぬになほしかめやも
| kurenawi wa uturopu mono zo turubami no narenisi konu ni napo sikame ya mo |
Scarlet is A hue that fades! Oak-dyed Well-worn garb is More appropriate, don’t you think? |
The poems above were composed on the 5th day of the Fifth Month by the Governor, Ōtomo sukune Yakamochi.
Composed for the Poetry Competition held at the Residence of Middle Councillor Toshitada.
くれなゐの濃染の衣うへにきむこひのなみたの色かくるやと
| kurenawi no kosome no koromo uFe ni kimu koFi no namida no iro kakuru ya to |
In scarlet Deeply dyed, a robe Would I put on That my tears of love’s Hue be concealed! |
Fujiwara no Akitsuna
藤原顕綱
雄神川紅にほふ娘子らし葦付[水松之類]取ると瀬に立たすらし
| ogamigapa kurenawi nipopu wotome rasi asituki toru to se ni tatasurasi |
Upon the River Ogami Glowing safflower scarlet Do the maidens seem; Harvesting ashitsuki Standing in the shallows… |
Ōtomo no Yakamochi
大伴家持