Left (Tie).
涙せく袖のよそめは竝べどもわすれずやともいふひまぞなき
| namida seku sode no yosome wa narabedomo wasurezu ya to mo iu hima zo naki |
Tears are dammed upon My sleeves, and within eyesight Does she sit arrayed, but ‘Have you not forgotten me?’ – To ask that, I have no chance! |
Lord Sada’ie
883
Right.
梅が枝の末越す中の垣根より思ふ心や色に見えまし
| ume ga e no sue kosu naka no kakine yori omou kokoro ya iro ni miemashi |
The plum branches’ Tips cross beyond Her fence, so Will the love within my heart Appear plain before her? |
Jakuren
884
Both teams state there are no faults with their opponent’s poem.
In judgement: the Gentlemen of both Left and Right have stated that there are no faults with the style of either poem. I accept that and will make this round a tie.
Left.
片山の垣根の日影ほのみえて露にぞうつる花の夕顔
| katayama no kakine no hikage honomiete tsuyu ni zo utsuru hana no yūgao |
Facing the single mountainside In evening sunlight upon the fence Faintly seen, Glistening with dew, Is a bloom of moonflower. |
265
Right (Win).
折てこそ見るべかりけれ夕露に紐とく花の光ありとは
| orite koso mirubekarikere yū tsuyu ni himo toku hana no hikari ari to wa |
Plucked, that I might gaze upon her, Touched with evening dew, Her belt undoing, this blossom Is lustrous, indeed! |
The Provisional Master of the Empress’ Household Office.
266
The Right wonder whether the Left’s poem, ‘lacks the emotional import of the topic [dai no kokoro kasuka ni ya], despite the mention of moonflowers?’ The Left counter that, ‘The Right’s poem simplistically recalls The Tale of Genji [genji no monogatari bakari o omoeru]– is this appropriate in a poetry contest [uta’awase no akashi to nasu ni, ikaga]?’
Shunzei states, ‘The Left certainly does lack the emotional import of the topic. Moreover, it does not use the expression “moonflower blossom” (yūgao no hana), but “bloom of moonflower” (hana no yūgao). This, too, is contrary to the topic [dai no mama narade] and, I have to say, an unusual choice of expression. The Right’s poem does simply refer to The Tale of Genji, but in form it cannot be said to be anything less than superb [utazama yū narazaru ni wa arazaru]. It is superior to a “bloom of moonflower”.’
Left.
夏草のもとも拂はぬ故郷に露よりうへを風通ふなり
| natsu kusa no moto mo harawanu furusato ni tsuyu yori ue o kaze kayounari |
The summer grasses Are yet uncut At this ancient home of mine; Over the fallen dewdrops, The sound of gusting wind… |
203
Right (Win).
夏草のなかを露けみ分くる野はわが故郷の垣根なりけり
| natsu kusa no naka o tsuyukemi wakuru no wa wa ga furusato no kakine narikeri |
Within the summer grasses Dewy depths, Forging ‘cross the plain and My ancient home’s Brushwood fence appears. |
204
The Right team query, ‘How is it that the wind can pass “over the fallen dewdrops” (tsuyu yori ue o)?’ The Left content themselves with saying that the Right’s poem is ‘difficult to grasp’.
Shunzei, though, remarks, ‘The Left’s “over the fallen dewdrops” is a wonderfully charming expression. It is the initial “are yet uncut” (moto mo harawanu) which is extremely difficult to understand. The Right’s configuration and diction seem particularly fine [sugata kotoba yoroshiku koso haberumere], though, so it is, just, the winner.’