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.
At around the the time the Kanpyō Emperor took Holy Orders, ladies were only permitted to serve him from beyond his curtains, and being unable to approach him closely, she wrote this and fastened it to his screen.
立ちよらは影踏む許近けれど誰かなこその関をすゑけん
| tatiyoraba kage Fumu bakari tikakeredo tare ka nakoso no seki o suweken |
If I were to approach, I would simply step upon your shadow; I am so close, yet Who is it Nakoso – Come not – That barrier has placed between us? |
The Kohachijō Miyasudokoro 小八条御息所
[Minamoto no Sadako 源貞子]
Composed when he had gone to Michinoku, and saw the flowers blooming at the barrier of Nakoso.
吹く風を勿来の関と思へども道もせに散る山桜かな
| Fuku kaze wo nakoso no seki to omoFedomo mitimose ni tiru yamazakura kana |
The gusting wind Comes not to the barrier of Nakoso, I thought, yet The road is blocked with fallen Mountain cherry blossom. |
Minamoto no Yoshi’ie (1039-1106)
源義家
Composed in the conception of spring having come from the East.
東路は勿来の関もあるものをいかでか春の越えて来つらん
| adumadi Fa nakoso no seki mo aru mono wo ikadeka Faru no koetekituran |
Upon the Eastern roads Come not to the barrier of Nakoso, They say, so How is it that Spring Has crossed to come to here? |
Minamoto no Morokata (1035-1081)
源師賢
When she was asked about the possibility of a meeting.
みるめ刈る海人の行きかふ湊路に勿来の関も我は据ゑぬを
| mirume karu ama no yukikau minatoji ni nakoso no seki mo ware wa suenu o |
Gathering seaweed The fisherfolk go back and forth Along the harbour ways; Come not to the barrier of Nakoso – I have not placed it there, so… |
Ono no Komachi
小野小町
This poem is also Komachi-shū 小町集 (late. C9th) 5.
Her reply:
ほとゝぎす勿來の關のなかりせば君が寢覺めにまづぞ聞かまし
| Fototogisu nakoso no seki no nakariseba kimi ga nesame ni madu zo kikamasi |
A cuckoo, Were the hindering barrier of Nakoso Gone, On waking, my Lord, Would be the first sound to your ears. |