Category Archives: Senzaishū

SZS XIV: 886

Composed as a Love poem, when she was at a poetry match.

見せばやなをじまのあまの袖だにもぬれにぞぬれし色はかはらず

miseba ya na
ojima no ama no
sode dani mo
nure ni zo nureshi
iro wa kawarazu
O, how I would show you that
On Ojima Isle, the fisherfolks’
Sleeves
Soaked though they may be
Have unchanged hues, but…[i]

Inpumon’in no Taifu

A kuzushiji version of the poem's text.
Created with Soan.

[i] This poem functions as a response to GSIS XIV: 827, by Minamoto no Shigeyuki.

SZS II: 123

Composed on the last day of the Third Month.

いのちあらばまたもあひなむ春なれどしのびがたくてくらしつるかな

inochi araba
mata mo ainamu
haru naredo
shinobigatakute
kurashitsuru kana
If I live
I might once more meet with
The springtime, yet
How hard that is to recall
Amid the dark!

Minister of Central Affairs, Prince Tomohira

A kuzushiji version of the poem's text.
Created with Soan.

SZS XVI: 1026

I had asked that Master of Discipline Kōkaku be accorded the honour of the role of reader at the ceremony for the recitation of the Vimalakīrti nirdeśa Sutra, and when he was constantly passed over, had complained to the Hosshōji Lay Priest and former Palace Minister; even though he mentioned ‘Shimeji plain’, the following year Kōkaku was once more passed over, so I composed this and sent it to him.

契りおきしさせもが露をいのちにてあはれことしの秋もいぬめり

tigiri okisi
sasemo ga tuyu wo
inoti nite
aFare kotosi no
aki mo inumeri
A promise dropped, as
Dewfall on the mugwort—
Such is life, so
Miserable, this year’s
Autumn must arrive.

Fujiwara no Mototoshi

A kuzushiji version of the poem's text.
Created with Soan.

SZS XVI: 1035

Composed when he had gone to the Saga Daigakuji and was composing on a variety of topics.

たきのおとはたえて久しくなりぬれど名こそながれてなほきこえけれ

taki no oto Fa
taete Fisasiku
narinuredo
na koso nagarete
naFo kikoekere
The cataract’s sound
Faded so long
Ago, yet
Its name flows on and
Is yet heard.

Former Major Counsellor Kintō

A kuzushiji version of the poem's text.
Created with Soan.

SZS XVI: 1043

In the same reign, when His Majesty’s Gentlemen were drawing topic by lot and presenting poems, he drew ‘fishing boats’ and composed this.

いはおろすかたこそなけれいせの海のしほせにかかるあまのつり舟

iFa orosu
kata koso nakere
ise no umi no
siFose ni kakaru
ama no turibune
To drop their stones
Is there no place at all,
At the sea off Ise
Caught by the rushing tides are
The seafolk’s fishing boats…

Supernumerary Middle Counsellor Toshitada

A kuzushiji version of the poem's text.
Created with Soan.

SZS IX: 566

When she was in attendance on Empress Akiko, Her Majesty’s mien was that of recollecting a certain situation with His Majesty, Former Emperor Ichijō, so she presented this the following morning, after she had withdrawn from Her Majesty’s presence.

つねよりもまたぬれそひし袂かなむかしをかけて落ちし涙に

tune yori mo
mata nuresoFisi
tamoto kana
mukasi wo kakete
wotisi namida ni
More than ever,
Soaked through are
My sleeves!
For bygone days I stored up
The tears I let fall now…

Akazome Emon

A kuzushiji version of the poem's text.
Created with Soan.

SZS XIV: 852

Composed on the conception of love which fails to linger, when he composed ten love poems at the same residence.

たちかへる人をもなにかうらみまし恋しさをだにとどめざりせば

tatikaFeru
Fito wo mo nani ka
uramimasi
koFisisa wo dani
todomezariseba
If he rises to return
Why should he
Be the object of my despite?
If even his love
He does not leave behind…

Supernumerary Middle Counsellor Morotoki