Another kakekotoba: Figurasi ‘cicada’, could also be read as Fi kurasi ‘setting sun’.

Another kakekotoba here, on the name of the pine cricket or matumusi, with matu meaning both ‘pine tree’ and ‘wait’. So, the beginning of the poem is both aki no no ni/Fito matu ‘awaiting someone in the autumn fields’ and Fito matumusi no/kowesu nari ‘a single pine cricket chirps’.

Quite a complex poem this one, due its use of two kakekotoba ‘pivot words’ – essentially phrases that could be interpreted in two different ways. Here, the poet mentions sinobugusa, a type of fern. Sinobu, however, could also mean ‘remember’, while the verb yaturu could mean both ‘waste away’ and ‘grow wildly’ so the first two lines are simultaneously kimi ni sinobu ‘remembering you’ and sinobu/kusa ni yatururu ‘overgrown by ferns’ and ‘waste away among the ferns’.

Bush Clovers, also known as lespedezas, are members of the pea family (Fabaceae). Native to North America, tropical and East Asia, and Australia, lespedezas are either erect or trailing in habit, and some perennial species can reach heights of up to 3 m (10 feet). The best-known species have alternate, toothless leaves that are made up of three leaflets. Lespedezas are also valuable for birds and other wildlife, affording them food and cover.