Each time the spring rain falls
on my beloved’s robe,
the green of the fields
alone deepens its color.

Meaning

Each time the spring rain falls, the green of the grasses and trees in the fields alone deepens in color.

Commentary

Spring Songs, Book One

This poem was composed and offered when the Emperor commanded, “Present a poem.”

“seko” is a term a woman uses to affectionately address her husband or brothers.
At the turning of the seasons, garments are prepared; washing and re-stretching cloth is women’s work, so “my beloved’s robe” is set as a preface. The following “haru” plays on *haru* (to stretch) and spring. Though it reads like a woman’s poem, it is by .

Author

Ki no Tsurayuki

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

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.
In the spring when green willows spin threads and weave them, so abundant with thread— yet the blossoms burst open in wild disarray.
Pale green threads are spun and hung upon the boughs; threading white dew into shining beads— are these the willows of spring?

Each time the spring rain falls on my beloved’s robe, the green of the fields alone deepens its color.

Each time the spring rain falls
on my beloved’s robe,
the green of the fields
alone deepens its color.