On passing through Tokiwa Grove at the beginning of the Tenth Month.

しぐれの雨そめかねてけり山しろのときはのもりの槙の下ばは

shigure no ame somekanetekeri yamashiro no tokiwa no mori no maki no shitaba wa

Showers of rain Cannot dye In Yamashiro Sempiternal Tokiwa Grove’s Evergreen underleaves…[i]

Dharma Master Nōin

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[i] An allusive variation on: 四具礼能雨　無間之零者　真木葉毛　争不勝而　色付尓家里 shigure no ame / ma nakushi fureba / maki no pa mo / arasoikanete / irozukinikeri ‘Showers of rain / Fall without respite, so / Even evergreens’ leaves / Can fight no longer, and / Take on a hint of colour.’ Anonymous (Man’yōshū X: 2196)