Itsushika to haru kinikeri to Tsu no kuni no Naniwa no ura o kasumi kometari

いつしかと春来にけりと津の国の
難波の浦を霞こめたり

Roma-ji: Itsushika to haru kinikeri to Tsu no kuni no Naniwa no ura o kasumi kometari
English Translation: So soon, as to say
that the spring has come at last,
in the land of Tsu,
all along the Naniwa shore
the haze has wrapped everything.
Meaning: As if to announce that spring has come already, the haze has wrapped the whole of Naniwa Bay in the land of Tsu.
Commentary: Spring Poems 8

Headnote: "When I was spending the year's end near Naniwa, composed on the arrival of spring"
According to the headnote, this poem was composed on the arrival of spring while the poet was spending the turn of the year near Naniwa. No sooner has the year changed than the haze envelops the whole bay, as if announcing that spring has come.
This is a seaside scene of spring met on a journey; after the haze of mountains and villages, the poem turns to haze over the sea. Strung with place names in an easy, flowing manner, it finds the arrival of spring in the broad expanse of the bay.

First line, “itsushika to”: so soon, as if impatiently awaited.
Second line, “haru kinikeri to”: keri expresses realization, and to presents the haze as though it were announcing spring's arrival.
Third line, “Tsu no kuni no”: the province of Settsu, leading into Naniwa.
Fourth line, “Naniwa no ura o”: the inlet of Naniwa in Settsu, along today's Osaka Bay.
Fifth line, “kasumi kometari”: komu means to wrap within, and tari a continuing state, closing with the picture of haze enveloping the whole bay.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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