Composed when feeling that it was the end of the Fourth Month.
うの花のむらむらさけるかきねをば雲まの月のかげかとぞみる
| u no hana no muramura sakeru kakine o ba kumo ma no tsuki no kage ka to zo miru |
The deutzia Blooming in profusion Along the brushwood fence Through the cloud-breaks moon Light do appear to be. |
Emperor Shirakawa (1053-1129) (r. 1072-1086)
Composed as a poem on the beginning of summer.
おりふしもうつればかへつよのなかの人の心の花ぞめのそで
| orifushi mo utsureba kaetsu yo no naka no hito no kokoro no hanazome no sode |
When the seasons Changed, so did our clothes. Out within the world Men’s hearts Are sleeves dyed with blossoms’ hues. |
The Daughter of Master of the Dowager Empress’ Household Office, [Fujiwara no] Toshinari
藤原俊成
Composed when spring had passed, and yet today was much like the day before.
なつごろもきていくかにかなりぬらんのこれる花はけふもちりつゝ
| natsugoromo kite ikukanika narinuran nokoreru hana wa kyô mo chiritsutsu |
Summer clothes For some few days Have we worn, you know. Remaining blossoms Are falling still, today. |
Minamoto no Michitari
Composed as a firefly poem, when he presented a hundred-poem sequence.
昔わがあつめし物を思ひ出てみなれがほにも來る螢かな
| mukasi wa ga atumesi mono wo omoFi’idete minaregaFo ni mo kuru Fotaru kana |
In my youth I Gathered them– How well I do recall The familiar sight Of approaching fireflies. |
Fujiwara no Suemichi
Composed as a poem on sweet flags.
五月雨にぬれぬれひかむ菖蒲草ぬまの岩垣浪もこそ越せ
| samidare ni nurenure Fikamu ayamegusa numa no iFagaki nami mo koso kose |
In the constant drizzling rain, Soaked, let us pick Sweet-flags; Over the stony border of the marsh Waves are breaking. |
The Regent and Former Minister of the Right [Fujiwara no Kanezane]
藤原兼実