On the conception of Lingering Cold – Second Month.
みよし野はなほ山さむしきさらぎの空も雪げの残る嵐に
| miyoshino wa nao yama samushi kisaragi no sora mo yukige no nokoru arashi ni | Fair Yoshino’s Mountains still are chill; The Second Month’s Skies, too, have a hint of snow, While the wild wind lingers. |
His Majesty, Former Emperor Go-nijō
Round One
Haze[i]
Left
くらはしのやまのかひより春がすみとしをつみてやたちわたるらん
| kurahashi no yama no kai yori harugasumi toshi o tsumite ya tachiwataruran | From Kurahashi Mountain’s passes Does the haze of spring Store up the new year as It rises all around, I wonder? |
Asatada
1[ii]
Right
ふるさとは春めきにけりみよし野のみかきのはらをかすみこめたり
| furusato wa harumekinikeri miyoshino no mikaki no hara o kasumi kometari | Around the capital of old Spring is all about. In fair Yoshino Mikaki plain is All covered o’er with haze. |
Kanemori
2[iii]
When both Left and Right had recited their poems, His Majesty spoke to this minor official, saying, ‘You should determine their merits and failings.’ I demurred, saying, ‘My understanding of the thirty-one syllables of waka is not such as to enable me to do this. I humbly request that Your Majesty decides.’ His Majesty, responded, ‘Should you not do this, it will spoil today’s events, and store up resentment. Make your determinations swiftly.’ In the face of His Majesty’s displeasure, I presented my own clumsy opinions.
In the Left’s poem, it is pleasant to describe Mount Kurahashi [Storehouse-bridge] as storing up the new year. In addition, it is certainly the case that crossing a bridge is what one does. The poem’s overall manner is also appropriate. As for the Right’s poem, the reference to being covered with haze seems a bit late, leaving one to wonder why the capital is springlike.
This round, my decision reflected His Majesty’s views. Observing the expressions of the imperial mien, I swiftly declared the Left the winner.
[i] Kasumi 霞
[ii] This poem was included in the third edition of Kin’yōshū (I: 3), although not in either of the earlier two versions. It is also in Shinsen rōeishū (I: 69).
Poems matched by the retainers of the Reikeiden Junior Consort, around the Third Month, Tenryaku 10.
Haze
Left (Tie)
あさひさすみねのしらゆきむらぎえてはるのかすみはたなびきにけり
| asahi sasu mine no shirayuki muragiete haru no kasumi wa tanabikinikeri | Morning sun shines upon The snow upon the peak, so white, All vanishing with The haze of spring A’trailing. |
Kanemori
1
Right
みよしのはゆきふりやまずさむけれどかすみぞはるのしるべなりける
| miyoshino wa yuki furiyamazu samukeredo kasumi zo haru no shirube narikeru | In fair Yoshino, where Never does the snow stop falling, ‘Tis cold, yet Haze of spring Is a sign. |
2
Round Seven
Left
かすがやまちえにさかゆるさかきばはよろづよまでのきみがためか
| kasugayama chie ni sakayuru sakakiba wa yorozuyo made no kimi ga tame ka | Upon Kasuga Mountain A thousand branches grow, Leafy, on the sacred tree— Until ten thousand ages pass Will they ward my Lord! |
Lady Kazusa
69
Right
君がよはいふかぎりなしみよしののこがねがみねにみよをまつまで
| kimi ga yo wa iu kagiri nashi miyoshino no kogane ga mine ni miyo o matsu made | My Lord’s reign— Words cannot describe: ‘til fair Yoshino’s Golden peak’s Age one must await! |
Lady Shikibu
70
The poem of the Left seems poetic to an extraordinarily outlandish degree! The poem of the Right’s ‘‘til fair Yoshino’s / Golden peak’s / Age one must await!’ has a sufficient conception of felicitation. Thus, these tie.
That the Left is addressed to Mount Kasuga is highly admirable. Is the Right’s ‘golden peak’ a reference to Mount Mitake? It’s very difficult to say anything profound here. Arbitrarily, I would make this a tie—the quality of the poems makes that seem right.
On the conception of fulling clothes.
みよしのの山のあきかぜさ夜ふけて故郷さむくころもうつなり
| miyoshino no yama no akikaze sayo fukete furusato samuku koromo utsunari | On fair Yoshino Mountain the autumn wind Marks a brief night’s end, For in this ancient place the chill Carries the sound of fulling cloth. |
Consultant Masatsune
