Spring

Left

春のたつ霞の衣うらもなく年を経てこそ花の散りけれ

haru no tatsu kasumi no koromo ura mo naku toshi o hete koso hana no chirikere

Spring does sew A robe of haze Without an underlay, The year passes by in A scattering of blossom

1

春の野の雪間をわけていつしかと君がためとぞ若菜摘みつる

haru no no no yuki ma o wakete itsushika to kimi ga tame to zo wakana tsumitsuru

Across the springtime meadows Do I forge between the snows, Eagerly, so eagerly, For you, my Lord, Have I gathered fresh herbs!

2

春霞かすみこめたる山里はこほりとくともかげはみえじを

harugasumi kasumi kometaru yamazato wa kōri toku tomo kage wa mieji o

The haze of spring Blurs all around A mountain retreat, Even were the ice to melt I could see no sign of it!

3

Right

梅枝にきゐる鶯年毎に花の匂ひをあかぬ声する

ume ga e ni ki’iru uguisu toshigoto ni hana no nioi o akanu koesuru

Upon the plum tree’s branches Has come to rest the warbler; Every single year, that Of the blossoms’ scent He cannot get his fill he sings.

4

桜色に花さく雨はふりぬとも千しほぞそめてうつろふなそで

sakurairo ni hana saku ame wa furinu tomo chishio zo somete utsurou na sode

Cherry-coloured Blossoms flower, as the rain Falls on, yet Dyed a thousand times Fade not, o, my sleeves!

5

青柳のいとはるばると緑なる行末までも思ひこそやれ

aoyagi no ito harubaru to midori naru yukusue made mo omoi koso yare

The willow’s Branches dangle lengthily So green Right to the very end Will I fondly think of you.

6