Momozono no hana ni magaeru teriuso no muretatsu ori wa chiru kokochi suru

桃園の花にまがへる照り鷽の
群れ立つ折は散る心地する

Roma-ji: Momozono no hana ni magaeru teriuso no muretatsu ori wa chiru kokochi suru
English Translation: The bullfinches, bright,
mistaken for the blossoms
in the peach orchard—
when they rise up in a flock,
it seems the petals scatter.
Meaning: When the bright bullfinches, so like the blossoms of the peach orchard, rise up in a flock, it feels as though the petals were scattering.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 1400

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Among the poems composed on small birds"
In a peach orchard, when the red-breasted bullfinches, so like the peach blossoms, rise in a flock, it feels as though the petals were scattering, the poet says.
The teriuso is the red-breasted male bullfinch; its color is likened to peach blossom and its flight to falling petals. It pairs with the siskin and willow of the preceding poem as a poem of color comparison.

First line, “momozono no”: of the peach orchard; the line has an extra syllable.
Second line, “hana ni magaeru”: mistaken for the blossoms.
Third line, “teriuso no”: of the red-breasted male bullfinches.
Fourth line, “muretatsu ori wa”: when they rise in a flock.
Fifth line, “chiru kokochi suru”: it feels as though petals scatter.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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