Poets of old matched work on spring and autumn.

Left

おもしろくめでたきことをくらぶるにはるとあきとはいづれまされり

omoshiroku medetaki koto o kuraburu ni haru to aki to wa izure masareri

How interesting it is Wonders To compare: Spring and autumn: Which is finer?

Kuronushi
1

Replies

はるはただ花こそはさけのべごとににしきをはれるあきはまされり

haru wa tada hana koso wa sake nobe goto ni nishiki o hareru aki wa masareri

In springtime, simply Does the blossom bloom, but When all o’er the plain Brocade is spread, then Autumn is finer!

Toyonushi
2

Left

あきはただのべのいろこそにしきなれかさへにほへるはるはまされり

aki wa tada nobe no iro koso nishiki nare ka sae nioeru haru wa masareri

In autumn, simply Do the plains’ hues Brocade become, but Scented with fragrance, Spring is finer!

Kuronushi
3

Right

さをしかのこゑふりいでてくれなゐにのべのなりゆくあきはまされり

saoshika no koe furi’idete kurenai ni nobe no nariyuku aki wa masareri

When the stag’s Bell drifts across To scarlet does The plains all turn, so Autumn is finer!

Toyonushi
4

Left

かすみたちのべをにしきにはりこめて花のほころぶはるはまされり

kasumi tachi nobe o nishiki ni harikomete hana no hokorobu haru wa masareri

Hazes rising On the plain, with brocade All spread with Budding blossoms— Spring is finer!

Kuronushi
5

Right

しづはたにあまのはごろもおりかけてひこぼしをまつあきはまされり

shizuhata ni ama no hagoromo orikakete hikoboshi o matsu aki wa masareri

In patterns on her loom Heaven’s feathered robes She weaves away; Awaiting the Herd Boy, Autumn is finer!

Toyonushi
6

Left

あをやぎにいとよりかけてあさごとにたまをつらぬくはるはまされり

aoyagi ni ito yori kakete asa goto ni tama o tsuranuku haru wa masareri

Green willows, Hung with threads, which Every morn are Strung with gems: Spring is finer!

Kuronushi
7

Right

むしのねのくさむらごとによもすがらなきあかしたるあきはまされり

mushi no ne no kusamura goto ni yomosugara naki’akashitaru aki wa masareri

The insects cry From every clump of grass Throughout the night, and Greet the dawn with song— Autumn is finer!

Toyonushi
8

Left

ふみちらすはなもいろいろにほひつつうぐひすのなく春はまされり

fumichirasu hana mo iroiro nioitsutsu uguisu no naku haru wa masareri

Treading, scattering Blossom with a myriad hues A’glowing, with The warbler’s song, Spring is finer!

Kuronishi
9

Right

きりぎりすなくくさむらのしらつゆにつきかげみゆるあきはまされり

kirigirisu naku kusamura no shiratsuyu ni tsukikage miyuru aki wa masareri

Crickets Cry from clumps of grass Covered with silver dew in The moonlight—the sight says Autumn is finer!

Toyonushi
10

Mitsune judges

おもしろきことははるあきわきがたしただをりふしのこころなるべし

omoshiroki koto wa haruaki wakigatashi tada orifushi no kokoro narubeshi

How interesting that, In fact, spring and autumn are Impossible to separate— ‘Tis just that the seasons Have their charm.