Tag Archives: Murasaki Shikibu

GSIS VII: 433

When people were calling for her to pass the wine cup, having gathered for the Seventh Night [festivities] on the birth of Retired Emperor Go-Ichijō (1008-1036; r. 1016-1036).

めづらしき光さしそふさか月はもちながらこそ千代もめぐらめ

medurasiki
Fikari sasisoFu
sakaduki Fa
motinagara koso
tiyo mo megurame
Rare,
The light shining from
The moon upon this wine cup;
In our grasp
Let it circle for a thousand years!

Murasaki Shikibu
紫式部

GSIS I: 10

Composed when she was requested for a Spring poem by some courtiers during the reign of Retired Emperor Ichijō (980-1011; r. 986-1011).

み吉野は春のけしきにかすめども結ぼゝれたる雪の下草

miyosino Fa
Faru no kesiki ni
kasumedomo
musuboForetaru
yuki no sitakusa
Fair Yoshino is
With Spring’s seeming
Hazed, yet there is
Solid
Snow around the undergrowth.

Murasaki Shikibu
紫式部