A poem composed for the four seasons screen behind the guest of honour when the Principal Handmaid celebrated the fortieth birthday of the Fujiwara Major Captain of the Right (Winter):
白雪のふりしく時はみよしのの山した風に花ぞちりける
| sira yuki no Furisiku toki Fa miyosino no yamasitakaze ni Fana zo tirikeru |
White snowflakes Falling constantly-at such a time In fair Yoshino Amid the wild winds round the mountain’s base Scatter blossoms. |
Tsurayuki
貫之
When His Majesty commanded him to submit a poem, he composed this and offered it.
ゆく年のをしくもあるかなますかがみ見るかげさへにくれぬと思へば
| yuku tosi no wosiku mo aru ka na masukagami miru kage saFe ni kurenu to omoFeba |
The parting year Fills me with regret For in a clear glass All I see are signs Of my own passing. |
Ki no Tsurayuki
紀貫之
Composed at the end of the year.
昨日といひけふとくらしてあすかがは流れてはやき月日なりけり
| kinoFu to iFi keFu to kurasite asukagaFa nagarete Fayaki tukiFi narikeri |
‘Twas yesterday,’ I said, And then, ‘Today’; Tomorrow, as the Asuka River’s Swift current The time has come upon me. |
Harumichi no Tsuraki
A poem from a poetry contest held by Her Majesty, the Empress, in the Kanpyō period.
雪ふりて年のくれぬる時こそつひにもみぢぬ松も見えけれ
| yuki Furite tosi no kurenuru toki ni koso tsuFi ni momidinu matu mo miekere | Snow falls and The year reaches its evening, It is at this time that Truly, evergreen The pine tree seems. |
Anonymous
Composed at the end of the year.
あらたまの年のをはりになるごとに雪もわが身もふりまさりつつ
| aratama no tosi no woFari ni naru goto ni yuki mo wa ga mi mo Furimasaritutu |
When every Year end Comes The snow on me Piles higher. |
Ariwara no Motokata
有原元方
Composed on the final day of the Twelfth Month, while waiting for someone who had gone somewhere.
わがまたぬ年はきぬれど冬草のかれにし人はおとづれもせず
| wa ga matanu tosi Fa kinuredo Fuyu kusa no kare ni si Fito Fa otodure mo sezu |
I do not await The new year, yet it is here; The Winter plants Have withered and my distant friend Has sent not a line. |
Mitsune
躬恒