Hyakunin Isshu - Poems

Poems

Poem number 2
One of the poems attributed to Empress Jitō was selected by Fujiwara no Teika for inclusion in the popular anthology Hyakunin Isshu. The text is visually descriptive.

The spring has passed
And the summer come again
For the silk-white robes
So they say, are spread to dry
On the Mount of Heaven's perfume
春過ぎて (Haru sugite?)
夏来にけらし (Natsu ki ni kerashi?)
白妙の (Shirotae no?)
衣ほすてふ (Koromo hosu chō?)
天の香具山 (Ama no Kaguyama?)

Poem number 26
A quite different poem is attributed to Sadaijin Fujiwara no Tadahira in the context of a very specific incident. After abdicating, former Emperor Uda, visited Mount Ogura in Yamashiro province; and Uda was so greatly impressed by the beauty of autumn colours of the maples that he ordered Fujiwara no Tadahira to encourage Uda's son and heir, Emperor Daigo to visit the same area. Prince Tenshin or Prince Teishin (貞信公, Teishin Ko?) was Tadahira's posthumous name, and this is the name commonly associated with a poem which observes that "The maples of Mount Ogura, If they could understand, Would keep their brilliant leaves, until he Ruler of this land Pass with his Royal band." The accompanying 18th century illustration shows a person of consequence riding an ox in a procession with attendants on foot. The group is passing through an area of maples.

If the maple leaves
On Ogura mountain
Could only have hearts,
They would longingly await
The emperor's pilgrimage.
小倉山 (Ogurayama?)
峰のもみじ葉 (Mine no momijiba?)
心あらば (Kokoro araba?)
今ひとたびの (Ima hitotabi no?)
みゆきまたなむ (Miyuki matanamu?)

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