A poem composed for the four seasons screen behind the guest of honour when the Principal Handmaid celebrated the fortieth birthday of the Fujiwara Major Captain of the Right (Winter):
白雪のふりしく時はみよしのの山した風に花ぞちりける
| sira yuki no Furisiku toki Fa miyosino no yamasitakaze ni Fana zo tirikeru |
White snowflakes Falling constantly-at such a time In fair Yoshino Amid the wild winds round the mountain’s base Scatter blossoms. |
Tsurayuki
貫之
Composed for the folding screen behind Prince Motoyasu at his seventieth birthday celebrations.
春くればやどにまづさく梅花君がちとせのかざしとぞ見る
| Faru kureba yado ni madu saku mume no Fana kimi ga titose no kazasi to zo miru |
When the spring has come, First flowering at my house The plum blossoms: In your thousandth year, I see you with them in your hair. |
Ki no Tsurayuki
紀貫之
When His Majesty commanded him to submit a poem, he composed this and offered it.
ゆく年のをしくもあるかなますかがみ見るかげさへにくれぬと思へば
| yuku tosi no wosiku mo aru ka na masukagami miru kage saFe ni kurenu to omoFeba |
The parting year Fills me with regret For in a clear glass All I see are signs Of my own passing. |
Ki no Tsurayuki
紀貫之
Composed at Kitayama, when he had gone there saying he was going to pick some autumn leaves.
見る人もなくてちりぬるおく山の紅葉はよるのにしきなりけり
| miru Fito mo nakute tirinuru oku yama no momidi Fa yoru no nisiski narikeri |
No one to see Their fall – In the mountains’ heart These scarlet leaves are night’s Brocade, indeed. |
Tsurayuki
貫之
Composed on seeing the autumn leaves, when he was living at Ono.
秋の山紅葉をぬさとたむくればすむ我さへぞたび心ちする
| aki no yama momidi wo nusa to tamukureba sumu ware saFe zo tabi kokoti suru |
The mountains at Autumn time Of their scarlet leaves, a garland make and Offer to the Gods, thus Even I, living here, Would follow them on their journey. |
Tsurayuki
貫之