Composed and sent when he heard that Inspector Kinmichi had had a number of people compose poems on the bush warbler at his residence.
春霞たちへだつれど鶯の声はかくれぬものとしらずや
| harugasumi tachihedatsuredo uguisu no koe wa kakurenu mono to shirazu ya | The haze of spring Arising, interferes, yet The warbler Is unable to conceal his cry— I wonder if he know it? |
Former Consultant Tsunemori
Maple
はるがすみたちそめしよりいろかへてのはならしてきわかなつむべく
| harugasumi tachi someshi yori iro kaete no wa narashiteki wakana tsumubeku | Since the haze of spring Began to rise, Hues changing, Upon the plains have grown Fresh herbs that we may pick them! |
14
This poem is an acrostic, with ‘maple blossom’ (kaede no hana) contained within kaete no wa narashiteki.
Topics
| Plum | Willow | Blossoming Cherry | Bird Cherry |
| Chinaberry | Taiwan Cherry | Garden Cherry | Peach Blossom |
| Rock Azalea | Mulberry Blossom | Snowbell Blossom | Smilax Blossom |
| Maple | Sand Pear Blossom | Fox Willow | Budding Azalea |
| Waterweed | Kerria Blooms | Wisteria Blooms |
The event was held in the Lady of the Bedchamber’s private apartment, presenting poems on blossoms at the palace. Poems were not presented for the Right.
Plum
かをとめてをりこそしつれむめの花春の霞は立ちかくせども
| ka o tomete ori koso shitsure mume no hana haru no kasumi wa tachikakusedomo | To hold their fragrance here, Indeed, have I picked Plum blossoms, though The haze of spring Arise to hide them from my sight… |
1
In the Twelfth Month of Kempō 5 [January 1218], I stayed at a monk’s cell at the Eifukuji on account of a directional taboo. When I returned home the following morning, I left behind a jacket
春まちてかすみの袖にかさねよと霜のころものおきてこそゆけ
| haru machite kasumi no sode ni kasaneyo to shimo no koromo no okite koso yuke | Awaiting the springtime, Sleeves of haze, O, layer up! A frosty robe I leave you as I go! |
388
Original
ちはやぶるかすがのはらにこきまぜてはなともみゆるかみのきねかな
| chihayaburu kasuga no hara ni kokimazete hana tomo miyuru kami no kine kana | On mighty Kasuga plain All blend together Blossom seen with The God’s servitors! |
Mitsune
10
Left (Win)
かすがののはなとはまたも見えぬべしいまこむはるのかざしがてらに
| kasugano no hana to wa mata mo mienubeshi ima komu haru no kazashigatera ni | Kasuga Plain’s Blossom once more Could be seen, In the spring now lying ahead, As a garland in its hair… |
11
Right
はるがすみたちまじりつつゆくからにあだにもはなとみえにけるかな
| harugasumi tachimajiritsutsu yuku kara ni ada ni mo hana to mienikeru kana | Amidst the haze of spring Standing Have we come, so It might be untrue, but as blossom Do we seem! |
12
The Lady of the Right on this occasion mistook the word ‘plain’ in the original poem and wrote down ‘meadow’ instead. This was challenged by the Lady of the Left, saying, ‘That’s what we heard. When someone composes at variance with the conception of the topic, that’s a loss. Thus, the Lady of the Right loses.’
Tadafusa then said to His Majesty, ‘The character used to write “plain” can, in fact, also be used to write “field”. Even though the Right is inferior, it is still a fine poem, and so I would make this a tie.’
His Majesty responded, ‘The does not correspond to what has been said. You don’t seem to reached a logical conclusion.’
Tadafusa silently bowed his head, and after long while, eventually, said, ‘What the Lady of the Left has said is logical and appropriate.’
‘Well, then, judge again, based on this,’ His Majesty instructed, and the Lady of the Right lost, and was not permitted another composition.
