When the Tenryaku Emperor [Murakami] died, the services finished on the Seventh Day of the Seventh Month and everyone scattered hither and thither, leaving him behind among the ladies-in-waiting.
今日よりは天の河霧たち別れいかなる空にあはむとす覽
| keFu yori Fa ama no kaFagiri tatiwakare ika naru sora ni aFamu to suran |
From this day on The river-mists of Heaven Rise and part; In what sky Would we meet again, I wonder. |
The day after someone’s third son had had his coming-of-age ceremony, Motosuke sent this to him.
松島の磯にむれゐる蘆鶴のをのがさまざまみえし千代かな
| matusima no iso ni murewiru asitadu no wono ga samazama miesi tiyo kana |
At Matsushima’s Rocky shore, the flocking Cranes among the reeds, Each and every one Has seen a thousand passing years. |
Composed for a picture of peach blossom on a folding screen in the Tenryaku Period (947-957).
あかざらば千代までかざせ桃の花花も變らじ春も絶えねば
| akazaraba ti yo made kazase momo no Fana Fana mo kaFarazi Faru mo taeneba |
If you cannot get your fill, For a thousand years, a garland wear, Of peach blossom; For the flowers will not age, And Spring will be unceasing. |
When Minamoto no Tōru had a child.
生ひしけれ平野の原のあや杉よ濃き紫にたちかさぬべく
| oFisikere Firano no Fara no aya sugi yo koki murasaki ni tati kasanubeku |
It has sprouted On the plain of Hirano, A fine cedar sapling! In rich violet Should it stand and be enveloped. |
Sent to the home of the Palace Lady Sakon, on the day after the assignment of offices.
年ごとに絶えぬ涙や積もりつゝいとど深くは身を沈むらん
| tosi goto ni taenu namida ya tumoritutu itodo Fukaku Fa mi wo sidumuran |
Every single year Unbearable tears Well up; How much lower Can I sink, I wonder? |