Composed on seeing the blinds being moved by the wind one evening, around the 20th day of the Waterless Month.
秋ちかくなるしるしにや玉簾こすのまとほし風のすずしき
aki chikaku naru shirushi ni ya tamasudare kosu no ma tōshi kaze no suzushiki
Of approaching autumn Is this a sign, perhaps? Hung with jewels The blinds’ gaps reveal The coolness of the wind.[i]
[i] An allusive variation on: Composed on the moon. 玉垂之 小簾之間通 独居而 見験無 暮月夜鴨 tamadare no / osu no ma tōshi / hitori ite / miru shirushinaki / yūzukuyo kamo ‘Hung with jewels / The blinds’ gaps reveal / Me sitting here alone / How pointless to be gazing out / At the rising moon tonight!’ Anonymous (MYS VII: 1073).