Composed on the moon at dawn on the road to a barrier, while at the Shirakawa residence of the former Uji Grand Minister.
あり明の月もし水にやどりけりこよひはこえじあふさかの関
| ariake no tuki mo simizu ni yadorikeri koyoFi Fa koezi aFusaka no seki | The dawntime Moon within pure water Has lodged; Tonight I’ll not pass The barrier at Meeting Hill. |
Lord Fujiwara no Norinaga
When, due to a confidential matter, he became unable to meet with a woman he had finally become able to see, he sent this.
あふさかの木のした露にぬれしよりわが衣手はいつもかわかず
| aFusaka no ko no sitaduyu ni nuresi yori wa ga koromode Fa itumo kawakazu | Meeting Hill’s Trees drip dewdrops and Have soaked me, so My sleeves Never will be dry. |
Lord Kanesuke
Left
とどむれどいまはかぎりとゆく秋のわりなくをしくおもほゆるかな
| todomuredo ima wa kagiri to yuku aki no warinaku oshiku omohoyuru kana | It has lingered, yet Now is the end, and with Autumn’s leaving Beyond all reason, regret Do I feel! |
27
Right
あふさかのせきのもみぢし心あらばくれてゆくとも秋をとめなん
| ausaka no seki no momijishi kokoro araba kureteyuku to mo aki o tomenan | If at Meeting Hill’s Barrier autumn hues did Fill my heart, then As it passes into dusk I would hold the season here. |
28
Left
おとはやまおとにききつつあふさかのせきのこなたにひとをまつかな
| otowayama oto ni kikitsutsu ausaka no seki no konata ni hito o matsu kana | As wing-beats in the mountains Do I hear tell: That on Meeting Hill Barrier’s inner side Someone does await me! |
Motokata
29
Right
そのはらやふせやにおふるははきぎのありとてゆけどあはぬきみかな
| sonohara ya fuseya ni ouru hahakigi no ari tote yukedo awanu kimi kana | At Sonohara By the rest-stop grows A sacred tree, they say; I catch a glimpse, yet Cannot meet with you! |
30
An ancient-styled poem to supplement a long poem.
君が世に相坂山の岩清水木隠れたりと思ける哉
| kimi ga yo ni aFusakayama no iFasimidu kogakuretari to omoFikeru kana |
Your Majesty’s reign Is welcome so, as on the mount of Meeting Hill, Spring water from the crags Is hidden in the trees, thus I am I sunk in thought! |
Mibu no Tadamine
Left (Tie).
先の世に契らざりける身の憂さや逢坂山の君が関守
| saki no yo ni chigirazarikeru mi no usa ya ausakayama no kimi ga sekimori |
In a previous life We made no vow – Is that why all’s so cruel? On the Mount of Meeting Hill Barrier wardens stand before you! |
Lord Kanemune
1003
Right.
頼めてもまだ越えぬまは相坂の関も名こその心地こそすれ
| tanometemo mada koenu ma wa ausaka no seki mo na koso no kokochi koso sure |
However much I hope While I have yet to cross Meeting Hill’s Barrier, of Nakoso does it Just remind me! |
Ietaka
1004
The Right state: we wonder about the use of ‘Barrier wardens stand before you’ (kimi ga sekimori). The Left state: the Right’s poem lacks any faults to indicate.
In judgement: both Left and Right’s ‘Meeting Hills’ lack faults or merits. Thus, the round ties.
Left (Tie).
身に堪へぬ思ひを須磨の関据ゑて人に心をなどとどむらん
| mi ni taenu omoi o suma no seki suete hito ni kokoro ni nado todomuran |
Unable to endure This love; at Suma By the barrier am I placed; Within my heart why Does she remain so firmly? |
Lord Sada’ie
999
Right.
逢坂の関のこなたに名をとめてこれより過ぐる嘆せよとや
| ausaka no seki no konata ni na o tomete kore yori suguru nageki seyo to ya |
On Meeting Hill Barrier’s inner side Must I stay, they say; Ever pass your days In grief! Is that your only message? |
Lord Takanobu
1000
The Right state: ‘This love; at Suma’ (omoi o suma) sounds antiquated. In addition, how can one be placed by the barrier? The Left state: in the Right’s poem what is the ‘passing grief’ (suguru nageki)?
In judgement: the Gentlemen of the Right’s criticism of wondering ‘how one can be placed by the barrier’ suggests they have never been installed as Barrier Wardens! Both ‘at Suma by the barrier’ and ‘Meeting Hill Barrier’ are of the same quality. The round should tie.