Round Nine

Left

いとふともなきものゆゑによのなかのあはれをさすがうちなげきつつ

itou tomo naki mono yue ni yo no naka no aware o sasu ga uchinagekitsutsu

With despite I regard it not, yet This mundane world Has such sadness, that Ever am I grief-stricken…

Lord Sanefusa
117

Right (Win)

いたづらにとしもつもりのうらにおふるまつぞわがみのたぐひなりける

itazura ni toshi mo tsumori no ura ni ouru matsu zo wa ga mi no tagui narikeru

How quickly The years have piled up; on Tsumori Shore grow Pines – my sorry self, indeed, Do they resemble!

Lord Yorimasa
118

The poem of the Left has a configuration which directly expresses a single emotion. Its conception sounds in keeping with this. The poem of the Right begins with ‘The years have piled up; on Tsumori / Shore grow’ and continues with ‘Pines – my sorry self, indeed’ which appears very pleasant. Thus, the Right wins.