Tag Archives: foam

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