A chrysanthemum from Murasakino.
名にしおへば花さへ匂ふ紫の一本菊における初霜
| na nisi oFeba Fana saFe nioFu murasaki no Fitomoto kiku ni okeru Fatusimo |
Bearing such a name This bloom is certain to scent: Upon a violet Single chrysanthemum The first frost has fallen. |
3
Imperial Visits to the Fields
むらさきの御かりはゆゆしましろなるくちのはがひに雪ちろほひて
| murasaki no mikari wa yuyushi mashiro naru kuchinohakai ni yuki chirōite | The violet Awesome imperial hunting grounds: Turned pure white is Kuchinohakai by Scattered snow. |
Minamoto no Toshiyori
源俊頼
白妙の豊御幣をとりもちていはひぞそむる紫の野に
| sirotaFe no toyomitegura o torimotite iFaFi zo somuru murasaki no no ni |
White mulberry cloth, This offering, I take and In celebration dye it Upon the violet plains… |
Fujiwara no Nagatō (949-?1009)
藤原長能
Left (Win).
けふ祭る神の恵みはかねてより卯月の忌のさして知りにき
| kyō matsuru kami no megumi wa kanete yori uzuki no imi no sashite shiriniki |
Today we celebrate The blessings of the god; For days of Seclusion the Fourth Month Known. |
205
Right.
あすは又加茂の河波たちかへり紫野にや色をそふべき
| asu wa mata kamo no kawa nami tachikaeri murasakino ni ya iro o soubeki |
Tomorrow, once more, The waves on Kamo River Will rise, borne on strains of song, returning Through the violet plains With the touch of colour. |
206
The Right question, ‘Whether saying “known for days” (kanete shiriniki) implies whether the god’s blessings are only provided on the day of the festival?’ The Left reply, ‘The blessings provided on the day of the festival are different from those given at other times. Where is there a problem with this?’ Somewhat testily, they then continue, ‘The initial section of the Right’s poem is about the river, but it then continues to with the violet fields. The subject changes. Furthermore, “violet fields” (murasakino ni ya) is a displeasing expression.’
Shunzei says simply, ‘Both poems seem to be of the same quality [ryōshu no utazama wa dōka narubeshi]. However, the Right passes over the festival day to focus on the violet fields the following day, while the Left remains focussed on the day of the festival. It should win.’