To call out to the Monk Saigyō, who had said he had a reason to come, but had not, on a night when the moon was shining brightly and hearing him pass before her window, she composed this and sent it out to him.
西へゆくしるべとおもふ月かげのそら賴めこそかひなかりけり
| nishi e yuku shirube to omou tsuki kage no soradanome koso kai nakarikeri |
For travelling to the West, A guide, I thought, The moonlight would be– An empty promise is No good at all… |
Lady Horikawa from the Taikenmon’in
In a hundred poem sequence, on the spirit of calming the heart every day in the early morning.
しづかなるあか月ごとに見わたせばまだふかきよの夢ぞかなしき
| shizukanaru akatsuki goto ni miwataseba mada fukaki yo no yume zo kanashiki |
How peaceful is Every single dawn; I gaze out, yet Still in the depths of night I dream–a grief, indeed. |
Princess Shokushi
式子内親王
On the sound of waves at dawn, as they near the Coast of Gold in Paradise.
いにしへのおのへのかねににたるかなきしうつ浪の曉の聲
| inishie no onoe no kane ni nitaru kana kishi utsu nami no akatsuki no koe |
In times long gone Tolled the bell of Onoe Similar, I think, to Waves breaking upon the shore, The sound coming with the dawn. |
Master of the Dowager Empress’ Household Office Toshinari
藤原俊成
When he had occasion to compose poems for pictures of the Six Hours of Paradise for the Bifukumon’in Empress, he composed this on the hour of listening to great teachings and gratefully praising the Buddha.
いまぞこれいり日を見てもおもひこしみだのみくにの夕ぐれの空
| ima zo kore irihi o mite mo omoikoshi mida nomi kuni no yûgure no sora |
Now, at this Though I gaze upon the setting sun, Fond within my thoughts In the Land of Amida, alone, Is the evening sky. |
Master of the Dowager Empress’ Household Office Toshinari
藤原俊成
When the Taikenmon’in Middle Councillor, at various people’s urging, composed poems on the 28 verses [of the Lotus Sutra]: on the spirit of saving all mankind, beyond measure, from the first verse.
わたすべきかずもかぎらぬはしばしらいかにたてけるちかひなるらん
| watasubeki kazu mo kagiranu hashibashira ika ni tatekeru chikai naruran |
We must pass over Numbers without limit Of bridge-pillars– How can they remain standing (How can He Make his vow?) |
Master of the Dowager Empress’ Household Office Toshinari
藤原俊成
On the spirit of chanting the name of the Buddha, against all odds, as in the Lotus Sutra.
ふかきよのまどうつ雨にをとせぬはうきよをのきのしのぶなりけり
| fukaki yo no mado utsu ame ni oto senu wa uki yo o noki no shinobu narikeri |
In the depths of night The rains striking ‘gainst my window Make no sound– From this cruel world I have left, And try to remain so. |
The Monk Jakuren
寂蓮