Love Closely Nearby.
紅の裾引くほどの宿なれど色にいでなば人に知られじ
| kurenawi no suso Fiku Fodo no yado naredo iro ni idenaba Fito ni shirarezi | Her scarlet Hem could I tug upon, so close Do we dwell, yet If my passion’s hues were to show, I would folk did never know… |
Fujiwara no Kiyosuke (1104-1177)
藤原清輔
紅はうつろふものぞ橡のなれにし来ぬになほしかめやも
| kurenawi wa uturopu mono zo turubami no narenisi konu ni napo sikame ya mo |
Scarlet is A hue that fades! Oak-dyed Well-worn garb is More appropriate, don’t you think? |
The poems above were composed on the 5th day of the Fifth Month by the Governor, Ōtomo sukune Yakamochi.
沖行くや赤ら小舟につと遣らばけだし人見て開き見むかも
| oki yuku ya akara obune ni tuto yaraba kedasi pito mite akimimu kamo |
Heading out into the offing On a scarlet official ship If I send a parcel Would he find it, and Try opening it, I wonder? |
Composed for the Poetry Competition held at the Residence of Middle Councillor Toshitada.
くれなゐの濃染の衣うへにきむこひのなみたの色かくるやと
| kurenawi no kosome no koromo uFe ni kimu koFi no namida no iro kakuru ya to |
In scarlet Deeply dyed, a robe Would I put on That my tears of love’s Hue be concealed! |
Fujiwara no Akitsuna
藤原顕綱