Not knowing whether
I shall live until the spring,
let me wear today
in my hair this plum that has
taken color in the snow
- Meaning
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Not knowing whether I shall live until spring, let me wear in my hair today this plum that has taken color in the snow.
- Commentary
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Part Two: Maboroshi
From the nineteenth of the Twelfth Month the rite of the Buddhas' names was held over three days—a year-end service of repentance. Genji showed himself in company for the first time in a long while, and he was more beautiful than he had been, so that the priests could not keep back their tears. Offering the cup to the officiant, he had a branch of red plum cut, just taking color in the snow, and spoke this poem. The officiant answered with a prayer for his long life. It is the last poem Genji speaks before others.
"Whether I shall live until the spring" is not knowing. "In the snow" is where the branch stands. "Taken color" is beginning to redden—a flower opening before its season. "Wear in my hair" is the ornament placed on head or cap. To wear a flower without waiting for spring is itself the knowledge of how little time is left, and though the poem belongs to a religious service it sounds very like a death verse.
- Author
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Murasaki Shikibu
- Source
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Genji Monogatari
- Other
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