Tag Archives: Izumi Shikibu

SZS XVI: 971

After Prince Tametaka, Commissioner of the Board of Censors, had died, Prince Atsumichi, Governor-General of Dazai, sent her some orange blossom, and so she sent him this, wondering how she should view the gift:

かをる香によそふるよりは時鳥来かばやおなじ声やしたると

kaworu ka ni
yosoFuru yori Fa
Fototogisu
kikaba ya onazi
kowe ya sitaru to
Scenting their fragrance
In place of his – rather
The cuckoo
I would hear, wondering if his call
Is just the same…

Izumi Shikibu
和泉式部

Izumi shikibu-shū 484

When the house of Bishop Mokuban burnt down, I sent a message, with this, to his mother.

出でにける門のほかをし知らぬ身は問ふべき程もさたすきにけり

idenikeru
kado no Foka wo si
siranu mi Fa
toFubeki Fodo mo
sada suginikeri
Departed
Through that other gate have you, while
In ignorance, I,
When I should have known,
Have passed my time.

Izumi Shikibu
和泉式部