Hana to miru kozue no yuki ni tsuki saete tatoen kata mo naki kokochi suru

花と見る梢の雪に月冴えて
たとへん方もなき心地する

Roma-ji: Hana to miru kozue no yuki ni tsuki saete tatoen kata mo naki kokochi suru
English Translation: On the treetop snow
that I see as blossoming,
the moon shines cold and clear—
I can find no words to tell
how this moment makes me feel.
Meaning: With the moon shining cold and clear on the treetop snow that looks like blossoms, I feel something beyond all comparison.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 1362

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "When snow had fallen"
On the treetop snow that looks like blossoms, the moon shines cold and clear, and he is moved by a beauty beyond comparison, the poet says.
Snow, moon, and flowers, the classic beauties of waka, are gathered into one poem. Seeing the snow on the treetops as blossoms, with the cold moonlight added, it catches the clear beauty of a winter night.

First line, “hana to miru”: that I see as flowers, taking up the preceding poem's comparison.
Second line, “kozue no yuki ni”: on the snow of the treetops.
Third line, “tsuki saete”: the moonlight cold and clear.
Fourth line, “tatoen kata mo”: any way to liken it.
Fifth line, “naki kokochi suru”: I feel there is none.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
Prev Poem: Yuki tsumite ki mo wakazu saku hana nare ya tokiwa no matsu mo miene narikeri
Next Poem: Magau iro wa ume to nomi mite sugiyuku ni yuki no hana ni wa ka zo nakarikeru