On a snowy day in the Second Month of Kenryaku 2 [March 1212], Senior Assistant Minister of Public Affairs Yukimitsu came to call at my house, saying he wanted to take a look at the scenery from a mountain retreat; many others were there, including Yukimura, Secretary of Yamajiro and we enjoyed ourselves late into the night with music and poetry. When it was time for him to return, I gifted Yukimitsu with a black horse and when I saw him the following day, I found a piece of paper tied to the horse’s mane, which read

この雪を分けて心の君にあればぬししる駒のためしをぞひく

kono yuki o wakete kokoro no kimi ni areba nushi shiru koma no tameshi o zo hiku

Through this snow To forge, the heart Had one, then A mount who knows his master well Is an example to follow!

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