On Yoshino River’s bank,
kerria blossoms—
in the blowing wind,
even their reflection below
has faded away.
- Meaning
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The kerria blossoms along the banks of the Yoshino River, stirred by the wind, have faded—so that even their reflection in the water seems to vanish.
- Commentary
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Book II, Spring Poems (Part Two)
A poem composed upon seeing kerria blossoms along the Yoshino River.
The water of the Yoshino River is so clear that the blossoms’ reflection can be seen upon its bed. As the wind blows and the blossoms scatter, even that reflection is imagined to fade away—an image likely born of poetic imagination rather than literal sight.
- Author
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Ki no Tsurayuki
- Source
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Kokin Wakashu
- Other
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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.
-
Where frogs are crying
in Ide, the kerria blooms
have already fallen;
had I but known before,
I would have seen them at their height.
-
With kindred hearts,
in the springtime hills,
together we would roam,
and, with no place in mind,
spend the night along the way.