The Right state: the Left’s poem seems a bit too young. The Left state: ‘Simply was I used to playing’ (nani to naku asobinarenuru) seems rather prosaic diction.
In judgement: although the latter part of the Left’s poem and the initial section of the Right’s are both pleasant, the Left’s use of ‘speak’ (oto) feels unnecessary. The latter section of the Right’s poem seems particularly good. It should win.
At around the the time the Kanpyō Emperor took Holy Orders, ladies were only permitted to serve him from beyond his curtains, and being unable to approach him closely, she wrote this and fastened it to his screen.
立ちよらは影踏む許近けれど誰かなこその関をすゑけん
tatiyoraba
kage Fumu bakari
tikakeredo
tare ka nakoso no
seki o suweken
If I were to approach,
I would simply step upon your shadow;
I am so close, yet
Who is it Nakoso – Come not –
That barrier has placed between us?
The Kohachijō Miyasudokoro 小八条御息所
[Minamoto no Sadako 源貞子]
In the final month of the year in which the wife of Middle Councillor Kanesuke had died, Tsurayuki paid him a visit and composed this while they were talking sadly.
恋ふる間に年の暮れなば亡き人の別やいとゞ遠くなりなん
koFuru ma ni
tosi no kurenaba
nakibito no
wakare ya itodo
toFokunarinan
While thinking fondly of her
Should the year come to an end,
She, who’s dead,
Will be parted even
Further from us…
In the Tenryaku period, when the Ichijō Regent [Fujiwara no Koretada] was Head Chamberlain, His Majesty lost his belt to him while playing go. The games continued, and Koretada’s losses mounted, so His Majesty composed this poem to ask for the return of his belt.
白浪の打ちやかへすと待つほどに浜の真砂の数ぞ積もれる
siranami no
uti ya kaFesu to
matu Fodo ni
Fama no masago no
kazu zo tumoreru
Wondering when the whitecaps
Will return, and
While waiting
The grains of sand upon the beach
Increase in number!