when spring arrives
first to bloom at my dwelling—
the plum blossoms there
I behold them as adornment
for your thousand years of life

Meaning

When spring comes, the plum blossoms that first bloom at my dwelling appear as adornment for your thousand years of life.

Commentary

Book Seven Felicitations

A poem written on a screen set behind Prince Motoyasu at his seventieth celebration banquet.

“Kazashi” refers to an ornament worn in the hair. Because the screen stood behind the prince, the plum blossoms appeared above his head from the front, as though they were an adornment placed upon him, symbolizing a blessing for his long life.

Author

Ki no Tsurayuki

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

from Kame-no-o along the rooted mountain rocks falling, the cascade— its white jeweled drops, could they be the count of your thousand years
idly passing by the months and days I do not feel— yet when I behold the spring spent gazing at blossoms how few such seasons there are
whether in ages past such a thing has ever been I do not know— but as the first of a thousand years let it begin with you
lying down I pray rising I count the years on— ten thousand ages the gods alone must surely know all for the sake of my lord

when spring arrives first to bloom at my dwelling— the plum blossoms there I behold them as adornment for your thousand years of life

when spring arrives
first to bloom at my dwelling—
the plum blossoms there
I behold them as adornment
for your thousand years of life