今もかもさきにほふらむ橘の
こじまのさきの山吹の花
こじまのさきの山吹の花
- Roma-ji
-
Ima mo kamo saki niouramu tachibana no
Kojima no saki no yamabuki no hana - English Translation
-
Do they even now
bloom in radiant beauty,
as once they did—
the kerria blossoms
at Tachibana’s isle-bound cape?
- Meaning
- Do the kerria blossoms at the cape of Tachibana no Kojima still bloom in the same radiant beauty as they once did?
- Commentary
-
Book II, Spring Poems (Part Two)
The poem reflects on kerria blossoms once seen in the past.
The word “niou” can mean not only fragrance but also brilliance of color; here it is used to evoke the vivid beauty of the blossoms’ hue.
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
- Other
-
- Wisteria blooms, cling to those who merely gaze and then turn away; even if your tender branches should break in the doing.
- At my dwelling, waves of wisteria bloom; people turn back, unable to pass them by, and linger only to gaze.
- In spring rain, its radiant hue delights beyond all weariness; and more than that, how dear is the scent of kerria blossoms.
- Kerria blossoms, do not bloom without reason; we planted you so that we might view you together, yet he does not come tonight.