Perhaps going to Kasuga Field to gather young greens,
people go with the sleeves of their white garments fluttering.

Meaning

Could it be that they are going to Kasuga Field to gather young greens, with the sleeves of their white garments fluttering as they go?

Commentary

Spring Songs, Book One

Composed when the emperor commanded a poem to be offered, this song was thus presented.

The poem may be a byōbu-uta (screen poem) depicting Nara’s Kasuga Fields. The image of a woman with white sleeves fluttering as she goes to gather young greens deepens the aesthetic sentiment by connecting it to the familiar and cherished Kasuga Fields.

Author

Ki no Tsurayuki

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

Pushing the azusa bow, today spring rain has fallen; if it falls even tomorrow, I shall gather the young greens then as well.
For your sake I go out into the spring fields to gather young greens; on my sleeves the snow continues to fall.
The spring-worn robe of haze, its weft threads thin, by the mountain wind is like to be torn and rent.
Even the green of ever-constant pines, when spring comes, now deepens by yet another degree.

Perhaps going to Kasuga Field to gather young greens, people go with the sleeves of their white garments fluttering.

Perhaps going to Kasuga Field to gather young greens,
people go with the sleeves of their white garments fluttering.