Ume no hana sakeru ga naka ni fufumeru wa koi ka komoreru yuki o matsu to ka

梅の花咲けるが中にふふめるは
恋か隠れる雪を待つとか

Roma-ji: Ume no hana sakeru ga naka ni fufumeru wa koi ka komoreru yuki o matsu to ka
English Translation: Of the plum blossoms,
among all those now in bloom,
those still in the bud—
is it love that hides in them,
or do they wait for snow?
Meaning: Among the plum blossoms in bloom, those still in bud—is it love that lies hidden in them, or are they waiting for the snow?
Commentary: Book Nineteen 4283

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Three poems from a banquet at the house of the Junior Assistant Minister of Civil Affairs, Isonokami no Ason Yakatsugu, on the fourth day of the first month of the fifth year"
The second poem at Isonokami no Yakatsugu's banquet, it takes up the preceding poem's plum blossoms and teases: among the plum in bloom, those still in bud—is it because love lies hidden in them, or are they waiting for snow? Where the preceding poem worried over plum falling in snow, this one turns to buds that have not yet opened.
Likening buds to a heart hiding its love, it carries on the preceding poem's allegory while lightening the mood with deft wit. The left note says, "The above poem: Prince Mamuta, Senior Assistant Minister of the Center."
The poet, Prince Mamuta, was a member of the imperial family in the Nara period, at this time Senior Assistant Minister of the Center. His lineage is not clear.

First line, "ume no hana" (plum blossoms), repeats the third line of the preceding poem, marking a response.
Second line, "sakeru ga naka ni" (among those in bloom).
Third line, "fufumeru wa" (those still in bud): "fufumu" means for a flower to remain in bud.
Fourth line, "koi ka komoreru" (is love hidden within?): "ka" binds with the attributive "komoreru."
Fifth line, "yuki o matsu to ka" (or are they waiting for snow?), takes up the preceding poem's snow and offers a second reason.
Author: Prince Mamuta
Source: Manyoshu
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