やどちかく梅の花うゑじあぢきなく
まつ人のかにあやまれけり
まつ人のかにあやまれけり
- Roma-ji
-
Yado chikaku ume no hana ueji ajikinaku
matsu hito no ka ni ayamarekeri - English Translation
-
Near my dwelling,
I would not plant plum blossoms—
how pointless that would be;
for their scent is mistaken
for the sleeves of one I await.
- Meaning
- I would not plant plum blossoms near my dwelling; how pointless that would be, for their fragrance would only be mistaken for the scent of the sleeves of the one I wait for.
- Commentary
-
Spring Songs, Book One
The poet entrusts to the plum’s fragrance both an affection for the scent and the longing felt while waiting for a lover whose visits have grown infrequent.
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
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Iro yori mo ka koso aware to omooyure
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Uguisu no kasa ni nuu to iu ume no hana
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