on Kasuga plain
while gathering the young herbs—
for ten thousand years
the heart that offers up such prayer
the gods must surely know it
- Meaning
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On the plain of Kasuga, while gathering young herbs, the heart that prays for long life must surely be known to the gods.
- Commentary
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Book Seven Felicitations
A spring poem among those written on a screen painted with scenes of the four seasons, at the fortieth-year celebration banquet of Fujiwara no Sadakuni, composed by the Naishi-no-Kami.
“Kasuga plain” refers to the Kasuga area in Nara, where Kasuga Shrine stands. As the poet gathers young spring herbs, believed to ward off illness, they pray for Sadakuni’s long life, trusting that the gods, especially those of Kasuga Shrine, will know this devotion and grant the wish.
- Author
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Sosei Hoshi
- Source
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Kokin Wakashu
- Other
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