Kwoko was raised to the throne by the Fujiwara family, when the mad Emperor Yozei was deposed; he reigned A.D. 885-887, and is said to have composed this verse in honor of his grandmother.
Wakana, literally ‘young leaves’, is a vegetable in season at the New Year; a koromo is rally a priest’s garment, but is used here for the Emperor’s robe.
[In the picture we see the Emperor gathering the fresh green leaves, and the snow falling from the sky.]
English: from "A Hundred Verses from Old Japan: a translation of the hyaku-nin-isshu" by William N. Porter (TUTTLE PUBLISHING, 1979, first edition 1909 by The Clarendon Press, London)
J…解説 explanation of the verse
同上
same as above
K…作者について about the poet
Sorry.
No English.
Some have description by Mr. William N. Porter in J section.
The old capital of Kyoto was divided into right and left districts, and the above is only an official title; the poet’s name was Toru Minamoto, and he died in the year 949. At Michinoku, in the Province of Iwashiro, in old times a kind of Figured silk fabric as made, called moji-zuri, embroidered with and intricate pattern, which was formed by placing vine leaves on the material, and rubbing or beating them with a stone until the impression was left on the silk. There is a hill close by, called Mount Shinobu, and a small temple, called Shinobu Moji-zuri Kwannon. Shinobu can also mean ‘a vine’, ‘to love’, or to ‘conceal (my love)’. The meaning of this very involved verse appears to be, that his thoughts are as confused with love as the vine pattern on the embroidered fabric made at Mount Michinoku. [The picture seems to show the lady with whom the poet was in love.]
河原左大臣
かわらのさだいじん
THE MINISTER-OF-THE-LEFT OF THE KAWARA (DISTRICT OF KYOTO)
English: from "A Hundred Verses from Old Japan: a translation of the hyaku-nin-isshu" by William N. Porter (TUTTLE PUBLISHING, 1979, first edition 1909 by The Clarendon Press, London)
J…解説 explanation of the verse
同上
same as above
K…作者について about the poet
Sorry.
No English.
Some have description by Mr. William N. Porter in J section.
Risshun (the first day of spring) comes between Toji (the Winter Solstice) and Shunbun (the Vernal Equinox). Risshun arrives around Febrary 4 in the solar calendar. Setsubun is the day preceding Risshun. On Setsubun night, roasted soybeans are scattered both inside and outside the house with cries of, “Out with the demons, in with good fortune!” Afterward, people eat the same number of beans as their age. Setsubun bean throwing is also celebrated at large temples and shrines.
──『心にひびく日本のしきたり TIES WITH THE PAST; Japanese Customs, Traditions and Manners』酒井信彦・監修(講談社バイリンガル・ブックス/2011年)
It was a frequent custom in the old days for the Emperors of Japan to retire into the church or private life, when circumstances demanded it. The Emperor Yozei, who was only nine years of age when he came to the throne, went out of his mind, and as forced by Mototsune Fujiwara to retire; he reigned A.D 877-884, and did not die till the year 949. The verse was addressed to the Princess Tsuridono-no-Miko. Mount Tsukuba (2,925 feet high) and the River Mina are in the Province of Hitachi.
Koi here means the dark color of the water from its depth, but it also means his love, and is to be understood both ways. Note also mine, a mountain peak, and Mina, the name of the river.
English: from "A Hundred Verses from Old Japan: a translation of the hyaku-nin-isshu" by William N. Porter (TUTTLE PUBLISHING, 1979, first edition 1909 by The Clarendon Press, London)
J…解説 explanation of the verse
同上
same as above
K…作者について about the poet
Sorry.
No English.
Some have description by Mr. William N. Porter in J section.
The
poet’s real name was Munesada Yoshimune, and he was the
great-grandson of the Emperor Kwammu. On the death of the Emperor
Nimmyo, to whome he was much devoted (A.D. 850), he took holy
orders, and in the year 866 wad made a bishop. He died in the
year 890, at the age of seventy, from being buried, by his own
wish, in a small stone tomb covered with soil, with only a small
pipe leading from his mouth to the open to his life. He is said
to have composed the above verse, before he entered the
priesthood, on seeing a dance of some maidens at a Court
entertainment; he pretends that the ladies are so beautiful that
they can be nothing less than angels, and he is afraid they will
fly away, unless the wind will bring up the clouds to bar their
passage.
[In the picture he is
shown with two acolytes, apparently addressing the wind.]
English: from "A Hundred Verses from Old Japan: a translation of the hyaku-nin-isshu" by William N. Porter (TUTTLE PUBLISHING, 1979, first edition 1909 by The Clarendon Press, London)
J…解説 explanation of the verse
同上
same as above
K…作者について about the poet
Sorry.
No English.
Some have description by Mr. William N. Porter in J section.