Topic unknown.
いつのまにさ月きぬらむあしひきの山郭公今ぞなくなる
itu no ma ni
satuki kinuran
asiFiki no
yama Fototogisu
ima zo nakunaru |
In an instant
The Fifth month is here, for
Foot-wearying
Mountain cuckoos
Are already calling. |
Anonymous.
Topic unknown.
さつきまつ花橘のかをかげば昔の人の袖のかぞする
satuki matu
Fana tatibana no
ka wo kageba
mukasi no Fito no
sode no ka zo suru |
Awaiting the Fifth Month
The orange blossoms’
Scent fills the air, and
Folk from long ago
With their perfumed sleeves come back to me. |
Anonymous
Topic unknown.
五月こばなきもふりなん郭公まだしきほどのこゑをきかばや
satuki koba
naki mo Furinan
Fototogisu
madasiki Fodo no
kowe wo kikaba ya | If the Fifth month comes,
Even your song will pall,
Cuckoo.
But while it’s fresh
Could I hear your voice? |
Lady Ise
伊勢
Topic unknown.
皐月待つ山時鳥うちはぶき今も鳴かなん去年の古声
satuki matu
yama Fototogisu
utiFabuki
ima mo nakanan
kozo no Furugowe |
Pining for the Fifth month,
Mountain cuckoo,
Beat your wings.
If only you would sing now
With the voice of yesteryear. |
Anonymous
Topic unknown.
わがやどの池の藤波さきにけり山郭公いつかきなかむ
wa ga yado no
ike no Fudinami
sakinikeri
yama Fototogisu
ituka kinakamu |
At my home
On the pond wisteria waves
Are breaking;
Mountain cuckoo,
When might you come and sing? |
Anonymous.
This poem is said by some to be by Kakinomoto no Hitomaro.
Composed looking at a cherry tree, blooming in the Fourth Month.
あはれてふ事をあまたにやらじとや春におくれてひとりさくらむ
aFare teFu
koto wo amata ni
yarazi to ya
Faru ni wokurete
Fitori sakuran |
‘How moving!’
Should those oft repeated words
Not go to the others?
Left behind by Spring,
This single blooming cherry. |
Ki no Toshisada
'Simply moving and elegant'