山桜咲きそめしより久方の
雲居に見ゆる滝の白糸
雲居に見ゆる滝の白糸
- Roma-ji
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Yamazakura sakisomeshi yori hisakata no kumoi ni miyuru taki no shiraito
- English Translation
-
The mountain cherries
ever since they came to bloom,
far as heaven's reach
up among the clouds appear
as a waterfall's white threads
- Meaning
- Ever since the mountain cherries began to bloom, the white threads of a waterfall can be seen up among the clouds of the far-off sky.
- Commentary
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Book One Spring Poems 50
Cherries blooming on the mountain heights look like the white threads of a waterfall pouring from the sky. Seeing cherries as a waterfall echoes poem 43, but the vivid image of white threads hanging from the sky brings something new.
The author, Toshiyori, is Minamoto no Toshiyori. A son of Minamoto no Tsunenobu, he compiled this anthology, the Kin'yōwakashū, at the command of Retired Emperor Shirakawa, and is known for his innovative style.
First line, 'yamazakura', states the theme.
Second line, 'sakisomeshi yori', means ever since they began to bloom.
Third line, 'hisakata no', is a pillow word for words of the heavens such as kumoi.
Fourth line, 'kumoi ni miyuru', uses kumoi, the sky or the realm of clouds, for the heights where the cherries bloom.
Final line, 'taki no shiraito', likens the flow of a waterfall to white thread, ending on a noun. Cherries seen as a waterfall, and the waterfall as thread, make a double likeness.
- Author
- Minamoto no Toshiyori
- Source
- Kinyo Wakashu
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Chiritsumoru niwa o zo mimashi sakurabana kaze yori saki ni tazunezariseba
- Next Poem
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Hatsuseyama kumoi ni hana no sakinureba ama no kawanami tatsu ka to zo miru