幾度か今日のみあれに葵草思ふも久し水がきのうち
ikutabi ka kyō nomi are ni aoigusa omou mo hisashi mizugaki no uchi |
How many times has it been? For this festive day Hollyhocks, Long the focus of my thoughts Within the sacred precincts… |
Left (Win).
雲井より立つる使にあふひ草幾年かけつ賀茂の川波
kumoi yori tatsuru tsukai ni aoigusa ikutose kaketsu kamo no kawanami |
From the palace ‘bove the clouds The messengers descend in Hollyhocks; How many years have They met the ripples on Kamo River? |
213
Right.
年ごとのけふのみあれにあふひ草かゝるかざしはあらじとぞ思
toshigoto no kyō no miare ni aoigusa kakaru kazashi wa araji to zo omou |
Every year For the festival, today, Hollyhocks Apart, decorations Are there none! |
214
The Right remark that, ‘the waves appear somewhat abruptly’ in the Left’s poem, while the Left simply say, ‘from an unusual beginning, the Right’s poem says simply “decorations are there none”, which is obvious.’
Shunzei contents himself with, ‘The Left wins by a small margin.’
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. |
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. |
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.’
Composed on hollyhocks:
いかなればそのかみ山のあふひぐさとしはふれどもふた葉なるらん
ikanareba sono kamiyama no aoigusa toshi wa furedomo futaba naruran |
Why is it that Upon divine Kamo Hill The hollyhocks Though years do pass, Have such twofold leaves? |
Kojijū