On the conception of the beginning of spring, composed for a hundred poem sequence for the Lay Priest and former Regent and Chancellor, when he was Minister of the Right.
今日といへば大唐までもゆく春を都にのみと思ひけるかな
| kyō to ieba morokoshi made mo yuku haru o miyako ni nomi to omoikeru kana |
On this day, the spring that Even unto Cathay Will travel is In the capital alone I feel! |
Master of the Dowager Empress’ Household Office Shunzei
皇太后宮大夫俊成
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
戸無瀬河岩間に立たむ筏師や浪に濡れても暮を待つらん
| tonasegawa iwama ni tatamu ikadashi ya nami ni nuretemo kure o matsuran |
At the river Tonase Bursting from between the rocks The raftsman If he would be wet with waves Should surely wait for evening? |
Fujiwara no Toshinari
From ‘The Hundred Poem Sequence Composed at the House of the Minister of the Right’ (1172)
On the sound of waves at dawn, as they near the Coast of Gold in Paradise.
いにしへのおのへのかねににたるかなきしうつ浪の曉の聲
| inishie no onoe no kane ni nitaru kana kishi utsu nami no akatsuki no koe |
In times long gone Tolled the bell of Onoe Similar, I think, to Waves breaking upon the shore, The sound coming with the dawn. |
Master of the Dowager Empress’ Household Office Toshinari
藤原俊成
When he had occasion to compose poems for pictures of the Six Hours of Paradise for the Bifukumon’in Empress, he composed this on the hour of listening to great teachings and gratefully praising the Buddha.
いまぞこれいり日を見てもおもひこしみだのみくにの夕ぐれの空
| ima zo kore irihi o mite mo omoikoshi mida nomi kuni no yûgure no sora |
Now, at this Though I gaze upon the setting sun, Fond within my thoughts In the Land of Amida, alone, Is the evening sky. |
Master of the Dowager Empress’ Household Office Toshinari
藤原俊成
When the Taikenmon’in Middle Councillor, at various people’s urging, composed poems on the 28 verses [of the Lotus Sutra]: on the spirit of saving all mankind, beyond measure, from the first verse.
わたすべきかずもかぎらぬはしばしらいかにたてけるちかひなるらん
| watasubeki kazu mo kagiranu hashibashira ika ni tatekeru chikai naruran |
We must pass over Numbers without limit Of bridge-pillars– How can they remain standing (How can He Make his vow?) |
Master of the Dowager Empress’ Household Office Toshinari
藤原俊成
In the conception of the gods, when composing in a hundred poem sequence at the house of the Lay Priest and Former Regent and Grand Minister.
かすが野のをどろのみちのむもれ水すゑだに神のしるしあらはせ
| kasuga no no odoro no michi no mumore mizu sue dani kami no shirushi arawase |
Lost under Kasuga Fields’ Overgrown trails are Hidden waters–as am I, yet To my posterity at least may the Gods Give blessing. |
Master of the Dowager Empress’ Household Office Toshinari
藤原俊成
Composed for a picture of the Rinji Festival at the Kamo Shrine on a folding screen prepared for the entrance of a Junior Consort to the palace in the 6th year of Bunji (1190).
月さゆるみたらし河にかげみえてこほりにすれる山あゐの袖
| tsuki sayuru mitarashigawa ni kage miete kori ni sureru yama’ai no sode |
Clear, the moon, Upon the Mitarashi River Shines, seeming as A design of ice upon Indigo sleeves. |
Master of the Dowager Empress’ Household Office Toshinari
藤原俊成
From a hundred poem sequence composed at the house of the Lay-Priest and former Regent.
神風やいすゞのかはの宮ばしらいくちよすめとたちはじめけん
| kami kaze ya isuzu no kawa no miyabashira iku chi yo sume to tachihajimeken |
Is it the Gods’ own wind? By the river Isuzu The shrine pillars-gods all- Will stand for many thousand years- Starting to stir the waters? |
Master of the Dowager Empress’ Household Office Toshinari
藤原俊成