Left.

流れての世のためしとてかたがたの使立ち來賀茂の川波

nagarete no yo no tameshi tote katagata no tsukai tachikuru kamo no kawa nami

From times of old Has it been the custom in this world For every Messenger to come flowing in Ripples on Kamo River.

Lord Ari’ie.

209

Right (Win).

あふひ草秋の宮人かけそへてのどかに渡る賀茂の河水

aoigusa aki no miyabito kakesoete nodoka ni wataru kamo no kawamizu

With hollyhocks have Her Majesty’s men Garlanded the carriage; Calmly crossing The waters of Kamo River.

Ietaka.

210

Neither team has any criticisms to make.

Shunzei states that, ‘Both poems are certainly effortlessly worthy of victory, but “calmly crossing the waters of Kamo River” (nodoka ni wataru kamo no kawamizu) sounds slightly more peaceful than “messenger to come flowing in ripples on Kamo River” (tsukai tachikuru kamo no kawa nami), so it should win.’