Kokinshu 1007 – "Slipping Away"

1007  Slipping away,The one I love—As I am broken. What’s the flowerThat bloomed in whiteWhen we were one?  うちわたすをち方人に物まうすわれそのそこにしろくさけるはなにの花ぞも UchiwatasuOchikatabito niMono mousu  wareSono soko niShiroku sakeru waNani no hana zo mo   Author unknown. As the poet’s lover has not visited recently, the poet complains and …

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Kokinshu 1009 – "Hatsuse River"

1009  Hatsuse River—Where ancient waters flowBeside the two-trunk tree When years have passedI hope we’ll meet againBeside the two-trunk tree  はつせ河ふるかはのべにふたもとあるすぎ年をへて又もあひ見むふたもとあるすぎ Haru sarebaNobe ni mazu sakuMiredo akanu hanaMainashi niTada nanoru bekiHana no na nare ya   Author unknown. The two-trunk cedar tree, the pairing with the …

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Kokinshu 1008 – "When Spring Arrives"

1008  When spring arrivesAnd fields begin to bloomIf you see a flowerThat’s just a sproutMere whispers are bestUntil it’s out   春さればのべにまづさく見れどあかぬ花まひなしにただなのるべき花のななれや Haru sarebaNobe ni mazu sakuMiredo akanu hanaMainashi niTada nanoru bekiHana no na nare ya   Author unknown. A reply to a poem #1007. He …

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