折りつれば袖こそにほへ梅の花
有りとやここにうぐひすのなく
有りとやここにうぐひすのなく
- Roma-ji
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Oritsureba sode koso nioe ume no hana
ari to ya koko ni uguisu no naku - English Translation
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When I plucked them,
my sleeves are what now smell—
plum blossoms’ scent;
thinking blossoms are here,
the warbler sings nearby.
- Meaning
- Because I have just plucked the plum blossoms, my sleeves are fragrant with their scent; perhaps thinking the blossoms are here, the warbler sings nearby.
- Commentary
-
Spring Songs, Book One
Though there are no plum blossoms here, the warbler is deceived by the lingering scent transferred from the plucked blossoms and sings insistently nearby; this conceit likely arises from the lived experience of scenting one’s garments with incense.
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
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Harugasumi tatsu o misutete yuku kari wa
hana naki sato ni sumi ya naraeru - Next Poem
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Iro yori mo ka koso aware to omooyure
ta ga sode fureshi yado no ume zo mo