Yuki fureba ki goto ni hana zo sakinikeru
izure o ume to wakite oramashi

English Translation

when the snow falls down
on every tree flowers seem to bloom—
upon each single one
which of them is truly plum
how could I discern and pluck

Meaning

When the snow falls, every tree seems to bloom—among them, which is truly plum, how could I distinguish and pluck?

Commentary

Book Six Winter Poems

This poem was composed on seeing snow piled upon trees.

The idea plays on the character for “plum,” which can be divided into “tree” and “every.” Snow settling on the branches makes it appear as though white blossoms have bloomed on every tree; the phrase “every tree” expresses this scene, suggesting that all trees seem alike in bloom.

Author

Ki no Tomonori

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

though the hue of flowers blends with snow and cannot be seen still let their fragrance drift and softly make them known so that people may perceive
if the scent of plum mingled with the fallen snow resting on the ground— who then could clearly discern and pluck each one apart
though the year I do not wait has now come round at last again like winter withered grass— the one who has gone away sends not even a word of news
as the passing year draws each time to its close again the snow falls ever more— and so too does my own self grow older with each passing year

Yuki fureba ki goto ni hana zo sakinikeru izure o ume to wakite oramashi

Yuki fureba ki goto ni hana zo sakinikeru
izure o ume to wakite oramashi