Tag Archives: Awa

SIS XX: 1313

When her grandchild passed away.

うきながらきえせぬ物は身なりけりうらやましきは水のあわかな

ukinagara
kiesenu mono Fa
mi narikeri
urayamasiki Fa
midu no awa kana
How cruel it is that
What remains here yet
Is me—
How I envy
The foam upon the waters!

Nakatsukasa

A kuzushiji version of the poem's text.
Created with Soan.

SIS XI: 636

Sent when he saw the Tsutsumi Middle Counsellor Lady of the Bedchamber.[1]

あなこひしはつかに人をみづのあわのきえかへるともしらせてしかな

ana koFisi
Fatuka ni Fito wo
midu no awa no
kiekaFeru tomo
sirasetesi kana
O, how strong my love!
Faintly, a lady
Did I see, who as foam upon the water
Vanished once more, yet
I had to let her know!

The Ononomiya Palace Minister

A kuzushiji version of the poem's text.
Created with Soan.

[1] A reference to Fujiwara no Sōshi (Kuwako) 藤原桑子 (dates unknown), the daughter of Fujiwara no Kanesuke 藤原兼輔 (877-933), who was an Imperial Concubine to Emperor Daigo 醍醐 (885-930; r 897-930), and the mother of Imperial Prince Nori’akira 章明 (924-990).

KKS II: 81

Composed on seeing cherry blossom flowing along the stream in the grounds of the Palace of the Crown Prince.

枝よりもあだにちりにし花なればおちても水の泡とこそなれ

eda yori mo
ada ni tirinisi
Fana nareba
otitemo midu no
awa to koso nare
From the branch
Have simply scattered
These blossoms, so they are
Fallen, yet the waters’
Foam have they become.

Sugano no Takayo

KKS XVIII: 969

When Ki no Toshisada was sent to Awa as Vice-Governor, Narihira planned a farewell banquet for him. On the day he was due to depart, Toshisada kept rushing about here and there and, when he did not appear, even though it was late at night, Narihira sent this to him.

今ぞ知るくるしき物と人またむ里をば離れず訪ふべかりけり

ima zo siru
kurusiki mono to
Fito matamu
sato woba karezu
toFubekarikeri
Now I know well
The pain of it;
When someone awaits me
At their home, I’ll not stay away
But pay my call, as I should.

Ariwara no Narihira
有原業平