classic waka stream

緑なる松に重なる白雪は
柳の衣を山に覆へる
Roma-ji

Midori naru matsu ni kasanaru shirayuki wa yanagi no kinu o yama ni ōeru

English Translation
The white snow that lies
heaped upon the green pine trees,
layer over layer—
it has cast a willow robe
across the mountainside.
Meaning
The white snow heaped upon the green pines has draped the mountain in a robe of willow colors, white over green.
Commentary
Miscellaneous Poems 1430

Headnote: none
The white snow heaped on the green pines seems to drape the mountain in a willow-hued robe, white over green, the poet says.
The green pines showing beneath white snow are likened to the color scheme of the willow layering, white outside and green within. It is an elegant comparison capturing the white and green of a winter mountain through the beauty of court dress.

First line, “midori naru”: green.
Second line, “matsu ni kasanaru”: heaped upon the pines.
Third line, “shirayuki wa”: the white snow.
Fourth line, “yanagi no kinu o”: a robe in the willow layering, white outside and green within.
Fifth line, “yama ni ōeru”: ru is the attributive of ri, "has draped the mountain," ending with feeling.
Author
Saigyō
Source
Sankashu
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