Round Two

Warblers

Left (Win)

こほりだにとまらぬ春のたに風にまだうちとけぬうぐひすのこゑ

kōri dani tomaranu haru no tanikaze ni mada uchitokenu uguisu no koe

Even though the ice Lingers not in spring’s Valley breezes, Still unmelted is The warbler’s song.

Shitagō
3[i]

Right

わがやどにうぐひすいたくなくなるはにはもはだらに花やちるらん

wa ga yado ni uguisu itaku naku naru wa niwa mo hadara ni hana ya chiruran

At my house A warbler’s heartfelt Song fills My garden, spotted With blossom scattering?

Kanemori
4[ii]

The Left poem’s sense is extremely charming. The Right poem’s pointless introduction of blossom scattering lacks interest and its diction is also poor. Thus, I make the Left the winner.

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[i] This poem is included in Shūishū (I: 6); it was also included in the third edition of Kin’yōshū (I: 10).

[ii] This poem was subsequently included in several other collections: Kin’yōshū (first edition) (I: 14); Kin’yōshū (third edition) (I: 11); Shoku goshūishu (II: 114); and Mandaishū (II: 348).