Tag Archives: 和泉式部

GSIS I: 100

She had gone on a pilgrimage to a distant place and, on her way back home, composed this gazing at some mountain cherries.

都人いかゞと問はゞ見せもせむかの山櫻ひとえだもがな

miyako Fito
ikaga to toFaba
mise mo semu
kano yamazakura
Fito eda mo gana
If capital folk
Should ask, ‘How were they?’
I would rather show them;
Of yonder mountain cherry,
A single sprig is what I need.

Izumi Shikibu
和泉式部

SIS XX: 1342

Composed and sent to the Monk Shoku (ca. 917-1007).

暗より暗道にぞ入ぬべき遙に照せ山の葉の月

kurasa yori
kuraki miti ni zo
irinubeki
Faruka ni terase
yama no Fa no tuki
From darkness
On a shadowed path
I must make my way;
Let it faintly shine,
The moon upon the mountain’s edge.

Masamune’s Daughter [Izumi] Shikibu
和泉式部