In this first blossom
that opened up this morning,
a thing one would wish
for oneself, I see a glow
that yields nothing to your own

Meaning

In this first blossom opened only this morning—a thing one would wish to be—I see a glow that yields nothing to yours.

Commentary

Part One: Sakaki

　In a season of soft summer rain, the Third Rank Captain brought over collections of Chinese verse and a rhyme-guessing game was held. Two days later, having lost, he gave a forfeit party, laying on boxes and prizes and gathering the same company to compose. A few roses had opened at the foot of the steps; the mood was quiet and fine. As the music grew a little disordered, the Captain offered the cup and spoke this poem. Genji smiled, took the cup, and answered.

　"Sore mo ga" is a wish to be like something. "First blossom" is the newly opened rose at the steps. "Nioi" is a glowing beauty, here his host's looks. The poem follows exactly the social form of praising a host by way of a flower in front of the company. The scene shows the two men still competing at their games in a period of political disfavor.

Author

Murasaki Shikibu

Source

Genji Monogatari

Other

In this first blossom that opened up this morning, a thing one would wish for oneself, I see a glow that yields nothing to your own

In this first blossom
that opened up this morning,
a thing one would wish
for oneself, I see a glow
that yields nothing to your own