Left and Right together state: we find no faults to mention.
In judgement: While there are such things in the heart of the mountains as ‘crags where seeds grow into pines’ (tane aru iwa ni ouru matsu), it is normally by the sea or on rocky coastlines that one finds firmly rooted pine trees. Surely, mountain pines are but lightly rooted? Cedars on River Hatsuse recollects ‘Nor will I ever; a solid brick-kiln’ (wasurezu yo kawaraya), but ‘You vowed it, did you not’ (chigirikina) also reminds me of the old phrase ‘Both our sleeves wringing out’ (katami ni sode o shiboritsutsu), which is most fine. Thus, the Right wins.
Composed in the conception of hidden love after a vow, when the gentlemen were composing poetry at the Hosshōji at around time of the offering of flowers in the Fifth Month.
憑めこし野邊の道芝夏ふかしいづくなるらむ鵙の草ぐき
tanomekoshi
nobe no michishiba
natsu fukashi
izukunaruramu
mozu no kusaguki
Trusting her, I have come
To the overgrown plains, where
Summer lies deep;
Where can
The shrike be hiding in the grasses?
Master of the Dowager Empress Household Office, Shunzei
皇太后宮大夫俊成