秋ならであうことかたき女郎花
天の河原においぬものゆゑ
天の河原においぬものゆゑ
- Roma-ji
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Aki narade au koto kataki ominaeshi
ama no kawara ni oinu mono yue - English Translation
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Maidenflower, you—
hard it is to meet but in
the autumn alone;—
though you do not grow, in truth,
upon Heaven’s river shore.
- Meaning
- Maidenflower, it is hard to meet you except in autumn, though you do not grow upon the banks of the River of Heaven.
- Commentary
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Book Four Autumn Poems (Part One)
Composed and presented at the maidenflower contest held at the Suzaku-in.
Since the maidenflower blooms only once in autumn, it evokes the lovers of the Tanabata legend, who meet only once a year. The poet playfully suggests that, although the flower does not grow upon the banks of the River of Heaven, it seems as though it should, given how rarely it may be encountered.
- Author
- Fujiwara no Sadakata
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
- Prev Poem
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Ominaeshi aki no nokaze ni uchinabiki
kokoro hitotsu o tare ni yosuramu - Next Poem
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Ta ga aki ni aranu mono yue ominaeshi
nazo iro ni idete madaki utsurou