The Ogura Hundred Poets was completed during the Kamakura period. Fujiwara no Teika compiled them by taking one poem each from 100 of the best poets in chronological order from Emperor Tenji to the Retired Emperor Juntoku to decorate the sliding doors at the Ogura mountain villa, the summer home of the general and poet Utsunomiya Yoritsuna. Many of selected poems were ornamental in nature, because they were meant to be used as decoration. Seventy-nine male poets! Twenty-one female poets! I am particulary attracted to the works of female poets! You can feel the seasons and modesty in ways that can't be found in modern poetry! - Kanade Oe
The Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (小倉百人一首), often simply called Hyakunin Isshu (lit. "One Hundred Poets, One Poem [Each]") or Hundred Poets, is a collection of 100 traditional Japanese poems by 100 Japanese poets. The collection dates from the 12th century, and was compiled by the Japanese poet Fujiwara no Teika while he lived in the Ogura district of Kyoto, hence its name. The poems in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu form the basis for the Karuta deck.
Contents
1Notes
2Opening Poem - Now the Flower Blooms
2.1Author
2.2Genre
2.3Story
2.4Karuta Card Type
2.5Trivia
31. Of the Autumn Rice Field
3.1Author
3.2Genre
3.3Story
3.4Karuta Card Type
3.5Related Links
42. So Spring Ends and Summer Comes
4.1Author
4.2Genre
4.3Story
4.4Trivia
4.5Karuta Card Type
4.6Related Links
54. No Matter Where I Stand
5.1Author
5.2Genre
5.3Karuta Card Type
66. The Night is Nearly Past
6.1Author
6.2Genre
6.3Karuta Card Type
77. Which Shines over Mount Mikasa
7.1Author
7.2Genre
7.3Karuta Card Type
89. So The Flower Has Wilted
8.1Author
8.2Genre
8.3Karuta Card Type
910. Exchange Hellos And Goodbyes
9.1Author
9.2Genre
9.3Karuta Card Type
1011. To Tell the People in the Capitals That I Make for the Islands
10.1Author
10.2Genre
10.3Karuta Card Type
1112. The Sky is the Road Home
11.1Author
11.2Genre
11.3Karuta Card Type
1213. Feel Love Deepen
12.1Author
12.2Genre
12.3Karuta Card Type
1315. For you, I head out
13.1Author
13.2Genre
13.3Karuta Card Type
1416. As the Inaba Mountain Pines
14.1Author
14.2Genre
14.3Karuta Card Type
1517. The Red That Is
15.1Author
15.2Genre
15.3Story
15.4Notes
15.5Rhetorics
15.6Karuta Card Type
15.7Related Links
1618. In My Dreams, I Creep Closer to You
16.1Author
16.2Genre
16.3Karuta Card Type
1722. Gust of Wind
17.1Author
17.2Genre
17.3Story
17.4Karuta Card Type
1823. When Looking at the Moon
18.1Author
18.2Genre
18.3Karuta Card Type
1926. The Autumn Leaves of Mount Ogura
19.1Author
19.2Genre
19.3Karuta Card Type
2031. From the Crystal White Snow
20.1Author
20.2Genre
20.3Karuta Card Type
2133. A Whirlwind of Flower Petals Descends
21.1Author
21.2Genre
21.3Karuta Card Type
2234. None Are Left Who Know Me
22.1Author
22.2Genre
22.3Karuta Card Type
2335. The Plum Blossoms Still Smell the Same
23.1Author
23.2Genre
23.3Karuta Card Type
2437. As Though Pearls Have Been Strung Across the Autumn Plain
24.1Author
24.2Genre
24.3Karuta Card Type
2540. But I Cannot Hide
25.1Author
25.2Genre
25.3Story
25.4Karuta Card Type
2641. As My Love First Came to Realization
26.1Author
26.2Genre
26.3Story
26.4Karuta Card Type
2742. Impassioned Vows
27.1Author
27.2Genre
27.3Karuta Card Type
2846. I Do Not Know Where This Love Will Take Me
28.1Author
28.2Genre
28.3Story
28.4Trivia
28.5Karuta Card Type
2947. But For Autumn's Coming
29.1Author
29.2Genre
29.3Karuta Card Type
3050.
30.1Author
30.2Genre
30.3Karuta Card Type
3151. How Can I Tell Her
31.1Author
31.2Genre
31.3Karuta Card Type
3253.
32.1Author
32.2Genre
32.3Karuta Card Type
3354. My Fear is That You Will Forget
33.1Author
33.2Genre
33.3Karuta Card Type
3455. The Sounds of the Waterfall
34.1Author
34.2Genre
34.3Karuta Card Type
3557. Long Last We Meet
35.1Author
35.2Genre
35.3Karuta Card Type
3660. By Ōe Mountain
36.1Author
36.2Genre
36.3Story
36.4Karuta Card Type
3761. Now Bloom Inside the Ninefold Palace
37.1Author
37.2Genre
37.3Karuta Card Type
3862.
38.1Author
38.2Genre
38.3Karuta Card Type
3963. After I Determined to Abandon
39.1Author
39.2Genre
39.3Karuta Card Type
4066. For There Is No One Else Out Here
40.1Author
40.2Genre
40.3Story
40.4Karuta Card Type
40.5Related Links
4168.
41.1Author
41.2Genre
41.3Karuta Card Type
4269. To Set the Tatsuta River Ablaze
42.1Author
42.2Genre
42.3Karuta Card Type
4370.
43.1Author
43.2Genre
43.3Story
43.4Karuta Card Type
4472. While Some Dodge the Famous Waves
44.1Author
44.2Genre
44.3Story
44.4Karuta Card Type
44.5Related Links
4573. Nobody Wishes to See the Beautiful Cherry Blossoms
45.1Author
45.2Genre
45.3Karuta Card Type
4676. The Cresting Waves Almost Look Like Clouds in the Skies
46.1Author
46.2Genre
46.3Karuta Card Type
4777. Swift Waters Parted by the Jagged Rocks
47.1Author
47.2Genre
47.3Story
47.4Trivia
47.5Karuta Card Type
4879. Moonlight, Clear and Bright
48.1Author
48.2Genre
48.3Karuta Card Type
4983. World Offers No Escape
49.1Author
49.2Genre
49.3Karuta Card Type
5084. As the Years Pass
50.1Author
50.2Genre
50.3Story
50.4Karuta Card Type
5186. May My Sighs Be Blamed upon the Moon
51.1Author
51.2Genre
51.3Karuta Card Type
5287. Rain Takes Longer to Dry
52.1Author
52.2Genre
52.3Story
52.4Karuta Card Type
5389.
53.1Author
53.2Genre
53.3Karuta Card Type
5493. The world offers no change
54.1Author
54.2Genre
54.3Karuta Card Type
5597．As I Wait For Someone
55.1Author
55.2Genre
55.3Karuta Card Type
5698．The Only Sign of Summer
56.1Author
56.2Genre
56.3Karuta Card Type
57100．Be As Dear Now, Those Were the Good Old Days
57.1Author
57.2Genre
57.3Karuta Card Type
58The Crimson Sunset (from Ten Thousand Leaves)
58.1Author
58.2Genre
58.3Story
59References
60External links
Notes
Poems are displayed in three forms: Subber's translation, Alternative text translation and Rōmaji/Kanji text.
A 31-syllable Tanka poem typically doesn't have an official title other than its author's name. In this wiki page, the names shown next to numbers are made up by the writer of this article for the sake of convenience.
Woodblock print images are used under Creative Commons license of David Bull.
Hyakunin Isshu Day was celebrated on May 27, 2016.
Opening Poem - Now the Flower Blooms
For The episode "Now the Flower Blooms", see Episode 1.
Have you heard? One of the new students is the younger sister of the model Ayase Chitose! - Episode 1
Naniwa Bay, now the flower blooms, but for winter. Here comes spring, now the flower blooms.
In Naniwa Bay, now the flowers are blossoming. After lying dormant all winter, now the spring has come and the flowers are blossoming.
Naniwa-zu ni/Sakuya kono hana/Fuyu-gomori/Ima o haru-be to/Sakuya kono hana 難波津に 咲くやこの花 冬ごもり いまを春べと 咲くやこの花
Wani, a semi-legendary scholar who is said to have come to Japan from Baekje (present-day Korea) around the late 3rd century.
Genre
Spring scenery
Story
After the three years of interregnum, the 16th emperor of Japan, Emperor Nintoku, finally assumed the Imperial Throne. The poem was written to celebrate the reign of the emperor and to wish for his reign to flourish.
This poem actually has nothing to do with the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu; it is from the Kokin Wakashu, a poem anthology which was compiled about 300 years prior to Ogura. During the Heian period, it was considered the first poem that any poet should learn; hence it is now used as the opening poem in competitive karuta matches.
The flower here refers to plum blossoms, which bloom prior to the advent of spring. The coming spring implies the beginning of a new era. Thus it is an appropriate opening for the Chihayafuru story.
Karuta Card Type
Opening poem - not a karuta card
Trivia
The tomb of Emperor Nintoku is said to be the biggest tomb in the world, though the fact is lesser known to the world for some reason.
Meiji period poet Nobutsuna Sasaki is said to have suggested this poem as an appropriate prelude for competitive karuta.
1. Of the Autumn Rice Field
For The episode "Of the Autumn Rice Field", see Episode 45.
For The episode "As My Sleeves Are Wet With Dew"[1], see Episode 21.
Incredible... Incredible! Incredible! Incredible! Teach me more, Kana-chan! Starting from The Autumn Paddy! Huh? All one hundred poems?! - Episode 6
The autumn paddy shacks have rough thatching as my sleeves are wet with dew.
Of the autumn paddy, shacks have rough thatching. Sheltering there, my sleeves are wet with dew.
Aki no ta no/Kariho no io no/Toma o arami/Waga koromode wa/Tsuyu ni nure tsutsu 秋の田の かりほの庵の 苫をあらみ わが衣手は 露にぬれつつ
Author
Emperor Tenji by David Bull
Emperor Tenji (male, 626-672). The 38th emperor of Japan.
Genre
Autumn scenery
Story
Quoting Kanade
This poem is supposed to have been written by Emperor Tenji, but it is believed that this was edited from an anonymous poem in the Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves. A paddy shack is a small cabin for farmers. When the farmers rest under the rough roof of sedge and strew, They discover that their sleeves are wet with dew. So Fujiwara no Teika may have started with this poem to convey the idea of an ideal emperor who understand the hard work of the farmers. - Episode 6
Emperor Tenji, aka Prince Naka no Oe, is known for the revolution rising against Soga clan, including the assasination of the old ruler Soga no Iruka. The incident was successful, and he later firmed the foundation of long-lasting Japanese Imperial reign. This poem proves that he was highly respected as a tender-hearted good ruler despite of the brutal incident of his younger age. Maybe the name of Oe Kanade is taken from his alternative name?
Oumi Jinguu Shrine in Chihayafuru OP.
The Emperor Tenji is enshrined in Oumi Jinguu Shrine in Shiga Prefecture. Celebrating the Number 1 of Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, the shrine hosts the annual National Karuta Competition which all the Karuta players dream of participating at. The highlight of the tournament is, of cource, the title match for Master and Queen. The very beginning of Chiahayafuru manga Vol.1 starts with the scene Chihaya fighting the Queen title match! How long we need to wait until the actual story will come?
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (A-ki-no)
Tenji Tenno from David Bull's Hyakunin Isshu Woodblock print series
2. So Spring Ends and Summer Comes
Ōe-san! The upperclassmen are throwing a fit! - Episode 6
So spring ends and summer comes. Now white robes hang to dry on Mount Amanokagu.
The spring has passed and the summer come again; For the white robes are spread to dry on the Mount of Kaguyama.
Haru sugite/Natsu ki ni kerashi/Shirotae no/Koromo hosuchou/Ama-no-Kaguyama 春過ぎて 夏来にけらし 白妙の 衣干すてふ 天の香具山
Author
Emperor Jitoh by David Bull
Empress Jitoh, The 41st emperor of Japan.
Genre
Summer scenery
Story
This is a landscape poem about the beautiful contrast of verdurous mountains and pure-white robes. The green of young leaves is the signature color for early summer, which comes after the pink of cherry blossom season.
And of course, a good kimono coordinator like Kanade never misses the seasonal senses.
Japanese Color Moegi-iro 萌黄色 #A9D159
The color of yellowish green called "Moegi(-iro)" brings to mind the leaf bud of early summer. In Heian era, It was favored as a color for young people.
Japanese phrase "新緑の候" ("the season of verdure" "the season of fresh greenly") indicates the season around March. At the age of Empress Jitoh, there was a palace ceremony of Koromogae (Updating Wardrobe) in this season. The ladies-in-waiting packed their winter clothes, and they hung their summer clothes out for airing. Seeing the white robes hung on Mount Kaguyama, the Empress Jitoh imagined the beautiful scenery was like a work of heavenly ladies, for the legend said that the Mount of Ama-no-Kaguyama in Nara Prefecture had fallen from the heaven. (Ama-no- means "heavenly".)
Kana-chan recites this poem at the beginning of Chihayafuru anime episide 6. It's not only because she was hanging a towel on her head, but maybe the mangaka is trying to tell the advent of new season, with the meassage of "we are moving to the next stage."
Empress Jitoh was a daughter of the Emperor Tenji. She is also known as her childhood name of Princess Unono Sarara, which sounds very anime-ish cutesy name for today's standard. She decided to enthrone herself after being bereaved of both her husband, Emperor Tenmu, and her prince.
The established manga artist Machiko Satonaka has been writing the dramatic biography of the Empress as her lifework ("Tenjo no niji (The Rainbow in the Sky)").
Trivia
The ceremony of Koromogae was lost at the age of the editor of the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu. So he modified the original poem,
The spring has passed and summer comes again. White robes are spread to dry on Mount Ama-no-Kaguyama （春過ぎて 夏来たるらし 白妙の 衣ほしたり 天の香具山）
to
The spring has passed and summer comes again. White robes were spread to dry on Mount Ama-no-Kaguyama, so they say. （春過ぎて 夏来たるらし 白妙の 衣ほす てふ 天の香具山）
when he compiled the collection. Maybe the modern concept of copyright is just a senseless greed for people of the past?
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (Ha-ru-su)
Jito Tenno from David Bull's Hyakunin Isshu Woodblock print series
Empress Jitoh from Machiko Satonaka's lifework manga series "Rainbow in the Sky - the Legend of Empress Jitoh- "
4. No Matter Where I Stand
For The episode "No Matter Where I Stand", see Episode 40.
For The episode "On Mt. Fuji's Lofty Peak, by the Drift of Falling Snow", see Episode 50.
Arata, take care of her. The four of us can still win this match. - Episode 13
No matter where I go on the shores of Tago, I can look up and see white snow, it keeps falling on the cap of Mount Fuji.
Tago no ura ni/Uchi-idete mireba/Shirotae no/Fuji no takane ni/Yuki wa furitsutsu 田子の浦に うち出でて見れば 白妙の 富士の高嶺に 雪は降りつつ
Author
Kakinomoto no Hitomaro
Genre
Winter scenery
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Ta-go)
6. The Night is Nearly Past
For The episode "The Night is Nearly Past", see Episode 23.
If i gaze upon the imperial court bridge's arc, which the magpie spread on, filled which white frost, then i know the night is almost past.
I gaze out across the garden dim, Here in the deepening dark, Just like Tanabata's magpie bridge, A gleaming frosty arc.[2]
Kasasagi no/Wataseru hashi ni/Oku shimo no/Shiroki wo mireba/Yo zo huke ni keru かささぎの 渡せる橋に おく霜の 白きを見れば 夜ぞふけにける
Author
Ōtomo no Yakamochi
Genre
Winter scenery
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Ka-sa)
7. Which Shines over Mount Mikasa
For The episode "Which Shines over Mount Mikasa", see Episode 33.
When I look upon the wide plain of heaven, it is the moon that rose from Mount Mikasa is the same moon that is in the land of Kasuga.
Is this the very same moon I gaze on here tonight That behind Mikasa Mountain Once bathed me in its light?[2]
Ama no hara/Furi sake mireba/Kasuga naru/Mikasa no yama ni/Ideshi tsuki kamo 天の原 ふりさけ見れば 春日なる 三笠の山に 出でし月かも
Author
Abe no Nakamaro
Genre
Travel
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (A-ma-no)
9. So The Flower Has Wilted
For The episode "So The Flower Has Wilted", see Episode 26.
For The episode "Just as My Beauty Has Faded", see Episode 22.
For The episode "My Life Passes by in Vain as I Watch the Long Rain Fall", see OVA 1.
The color of the flower has faded, while I lost myself in idle thought in this long rain.
I came to this hut in Uji, The sorrows of the world to flee; "To live on the Mountain of Sorrows!" I hear them say in glee.[2]
Hana no iro wa/Utsuri ni keri na/Itazura ni/Waga mi yoni furu/Nagame seshi ma ni 花の色は うつりにけりな いたづらに わが身世にふる ながめせし間に
Author
Ono no Komachi
Genre
Spring scenery
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (Ha-na-no)
10. Exchange Hellos And Goodbyes
For The episode "Exchange Hellos And Goodbyes", see Episode 10.
For The episode "They All Exchange Hellos and Goodbyes at the Gates of Osaka", see Episode 32.
The stranger who has traveled far...
The stranger who has traveled far,the friend with welcome smile, all sorts of men who come and go meet at this mountain stile,—they meet and rest awhile.
Kore ya kono/Yuku mo kaeru mo/Wakarete wa/Shiru mo shiranu mo/Ousaka no seki これやこの 行 くも 帰 るも 別 れては 知 るも 知 らぬも 逢坂 の 関
Author
Semimaru
Genre
Others
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Ko-re)
11. To Tell the People in the Capitals That I Make for the Islands
For The episode "To Tell the People in the Capitals That I Make for the Islands", see Episode 29.
Let the heavenly winds blows through the path among the clouds, so that we may detain these maiden messengers a while longer.
Over the wide sea towards its many distant isles my ship sets sail. Will the fishing boats thronged there proclaim my journey to the world?
Wata no hara/Yaso shima kakete/Kogi idenu to/Hito ni wa tsuge yo/Ama no tsuribune わたの原 八十島かけて こぎ出でぬと 人には告げよ あまの釣舟
Author
Ono no Takamura
Genre
Travel
Karuta Card Type
Six Syllable Card (Wa-ta-no-ha-ra-ya)
12. The Sky is the Road Home
For The episode "The Sky is the Road Home", see Episode 11.
Oh stormy winds, bring up the clouds...
Oh stormy winds, bring up the clouds, and paint the heavens grey; lest these fair maids of form divine should angel wings display, and fly far far away.
Ariwara no Narihira (male, 825-880), one of the Six Immortals of Poetry and the Thirty-six Poetry Immortals.
Ariwara no Narihira by David Bull
Genre
Autumn scenery
Story
Quoting Kanade:
I believe that this poem is about passionate love. Did you know that Nijo no Kisaki was in love with Ariwara no Narihira before she married the emperor? This is a very famous story. This poem was displayed on a folding screen in the palace. Some accounts say that Nijo no Kisaki was the one who requested the poem. I like how Narihira concealed his passion for her in a scenic rendering since he wasn't able to forget her. "Chihayaburu" is a pillow word (epithet) for gods that implies great force. "Mizu kukuru" can be interpreted as "water goes under red leaves" or "water looks like being tie-dyed," but I believe that the crimson leaves represent a love that never faded even after the separation. - Episode 6, Season 1
Quoting Kanade:
"Chihayaburu" is a spinning top standing perfectly upright. It repels everything that touches it and standing unchangingly firm, calm, and stable. -Episode 7, Season 2
How the story is so famous? After Lady Fujiwara no Takaiko married the Emperor and became Nijo no Kisaki (Empress of Nijo), the author and ex-lover Ariwara no Narihira tried to exile with her... an elopement with Empress! However his unprecedented attempt was failed and the empress was brought back to the palace. We don't know whether he was punished or not, but it is considered that this incident had held back on his promotion. This anecdote caused people to see him as anti-establishment handsome nobleman, and he became the hero of romance novels like The Tales of Ise (10th century). Even the famous The Tale of Genji (10th century) is said to be heavily influenced by it.
Notes
Tatsuta River is a stream in Nara prefecture, where the capital was there around his age. The name of Tatsuta came from the goddess of autumn Tatsuta-hime who is said to be a tomboy just like Chihaya. The "I have never heard" part can be interpreted as that it is unheard of for tomboyish Tatsuta to do a feminine behavior like dying.
Rhetorics
Pillow word (epithet): chihayaburu kami (impassionate god)
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Chi-ha)
Tenji Tenno from David Bull's Hyakunin Isshu Woodblock print series
Image Photo from 4travel
18. In My Dreams, I Creep Closer to You
For The episode "In My Dreams, I Creep Closer to You", see Episode 38.
On the shore of Sumi's bay , the waves had gathered. At night, I shall go to you in my dream. Let none known.
Sumi no e no/Kishi ni yoru nami/Yoru sae ya/Yume no kayoi ji/Hitome yo kuran 住の江の 岸による波 よるさへや 夢の通ひ路 人目よくらむ
Author
Fujiwara no Toshiyuki
Genre
Love
Karuta Card Type
One Syllable Card (Su)
22. Gust of Wind
For The episode "Gust of Wind", see Episode 42.
Gust of wind carries leaves from the trees, giving the name of storm to the mountain wind.
It is by its breath That autumn's leaves of trees and grass Are wasted and driven. So they call this mountain wind The wild one, the destroyer.
Fukukara ni/Aki no kusaki no/Shiorureba/Mube yamakaze o/Arashi to iuran. 吹くからに 秋の草木の しをるれば むべ山風を あらしといふらむ
Author
Fun'ya no Yasuhide
Genre
Autumn scenery
Story
Chihaya 's first card. Her remarkable hearing ability allows her to hear the hard 'G' (F) in Gust (Fu), allowing her to take the card. It was her first card that she won against Arata and Shinobu.
Karuta Card Type
One Syllable Card (Fu)
23. When Looking at the Moon
I don't really understand how you can get sentimental about looking at the moon, but when I see a card that I've practiced constantly on the tatami, I get a confidence boost! - Episode 43
When looking at the moon, you will be overcome by sorrow, as you realize that the autumn belongs to....
When I look at the moon, I am overcome by the sadness of a thousand, thousand things, even though it is not autumn for me alone.
Tsuki mireba/Chiji ni mono koso/Kanashi kere/Waga mi hitotsu no/Aki ni wa aranedo 月見れば ちぢに物こそ 悲しけれ わが身ひとつの 秋にはあらねど
Author
Oe no Chisato (male, flourished circa 889-923)
Genre
Autumn scenery
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Tsu-ki)
26. The Autumn Leaves of Mount Ogura
For The episode "The Autumn Leaves of Mount Ogura", see Episode 16.
For The episode "Wait for the Emperor's Return", see Episode 41.
You golden leaves of Ogura, Please delay your fall; For very soon the emperor Will come this way to call.[2]
Ogura-yama/Mine no momizi-ba/Kokoro araba/Ima hitotabi no/Miyuki mata nan 小倉山 峰のもみぢ葉 心あらば いまひとたびの みゆき待たなむ
Author
Fujiwara no Tadahira
Genre
Travel
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (O-gu)
31. From the Crystal White Snow
For The episode "From the Crystal White Snow", see Episode 3.
Which is the pale moonlight, And which the piled-up snow? Here at dawn in Yoshino, It's impossible to know.[2]
Asaborake/Ariake no tsuki to/Miru made ni/Yoshino no sato ni/Fureru shirayuki 朝ぼらけ ありあけの月と 見るまでに 吉野の里に 降れる白雪
Author
Sakanoue no Korenori
Genre
Winter scenery
Karuta Card Type
Six Syllable Long Shot Card (A-Sa-bo-ra-ke-A)
33. A Whirlwind of Flower Petals Descends
For The episode "A Whirlwind of Flower Petals Descends", see Episode 4.
Oh, you cherry petals, On this calm and balmy day, Why are you so restless, So keen to fly away?[2]
Hisakata no/Hikari nodokeki/Haru no hi ni/Sizugogoro naku/Hana no chiru ran ひさかたの 光のどけき 春の日に しづ心なく 花の散るらむ
Author
Ki no Tomonori
Genre
Spring scenery
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Hi-sa)
34. None Are Left Who Know Me
None are left who know me. Takasago pines......can never replace them.
Who is still alive, when I have grown so old, that I can call my friends?
Even Takasago's pines no longer offer comfort.
Tare o kamo/Shiru Hito ni sen/Takasago no/Matsu mo Mukashi no/Tomo nara naku ni 誰をかも 知る人にせむ 高砂の 松もむかしの 友ならなくに
Author
Fujiwara no Okikaze (male. early 10th century)
Genre
Others (Loneliness)
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Ta-re)
35. The Plum Blossoms Still Smell the Same
For The episode "The Plum Blossoms Still Smell the Same", see Episode 18.
With people you can never tell, Will they have changed when next we meet? But here in my dear old home at least, The plums still smell as sweet.[2]
Hito wa isa/Kokoro mo shirazu/Furusato wa/Hana zo mukashi no/Ka ni nioi keru 人はいさ 心も知らず ふるさとは 花ぞ昔の 香ににほひける
Author
Fujiwara no Okikaze
Genre
Spring scenery
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (Hi-to-wa)
37. As Though Pearls Have Been Strung Across the Autumn Plain
For The episode "As Though Pearls Have Been Strung Across the Autumn Plain", see Episode 15.
Shiratsuyu ni/Kaze no huki shiku/Aki no no wa/Tsuranuki tomenu/Tama zo chiri keru 白露に 風の吹きしく 秋の野は つらぬきとめぬ 玉ぞ散りける
Author
Fun'ya no Asayasu
Genre
Autumn scenery
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Shi-ra)
40. But I Cannot Hide
For The episode "But I Cannot Hide", see Episode 9.
For The episode "People Would Always Ask If I Was Pining for Someone", see Episode 39.
In the Tentoku Imperial Court Poetry Contest that was held by Emperor Murakami in 960, there were two poems that were especially beautiful. As I watch the prez, those poems come to mind. Poems about a love that cannot be concealed. --Episode 23
Since I could not hide my love, people would always ask if I was pining for someone.
Though I would hide it, in my face it still appears -- my fond, secret love.
And now he questions me: "Is something bothering you?"
Shinoburedo/Iro ni ide ni keri/Waga koi wa/Mono ya omou to/Hito no tou made 忍ぶれど 色に出でにけり わが恋は 物や思ふと 人の問ふまで
Author
[[[wikipedia:Taira no Kanemori|Taira no Kanemori]] (male, 626-672). One of The Thirty-six Poetry Immortals.
Genre
Love
Story
The symbolic card of current Queen, Shinobu Wakamiya.
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Shi-no)
41. As My Love First Came to Realization
For The episode "As My Love First Came", see Episode 27.
As my love first came to realization, word had already spread.
It is true i love, but the rumor of my love had gone far and wide.
When people should not have known That I had begun to love.
Koisu cho/Waga na wa madaki/Tachi ni keri/Hito shirezu koso/Omoi someshi ka 恋すてふ わが名はまだき 立ちにけり 人知れずこそ 思ひそめしか
Author
Mibu no Tadami (male). Son of Mibu No Tadamine (Poem 30). One of The Thirty-six Poetry Immortals.
Genre
Love
Story
Poems 40 and 41 of the Hyakunin Isshu, by Taira no Kanemori and Mibu no Tadami respectively, share some history together. The two are presented together at the very beginning of the first book of love poems in the Shūishū* with a headnote: "From a Poetry Contest of the Tenryaku Era", which refers to the Palace Poetry Contest of 960 in twenty rounds.
According to Fujiwara no Kiyosuke's Fukuro-Zōshi, Kanemori's and Tadami's poems were pitted against each other in the last round, but the judge, Fujiwara no Saneyori, was unable to decide which was superior. Then he asked for the aid of Minamoto no Taka'akira, but he was also unable to decide. Then the case was brought to Emperor Murakami. He let his opinion be known by humming one of the verses under his breath.
Yet the one the emperor hummed wasn't one by Mibu no Tadami. There is a legend that the poet died of grief after this event but it doesn't seem to be truth, since he continued writing poetry and was probably alive and well for many years after the 960 poetry competition.
As many point out, even though this poem didn't win the contest, it has been highly prized throughout the ages, just like poem 40.
The last couple of lines (or the 7-7 part, if you prefer) of the poem is really interesting because omoi in the last last can refer to both shirezu in the second to last line and someshi in the last one. While omoi means 'think' or 'feel', omoi with shirezu means 'I though no one knew' and omoi with someshi means 'I began to love'.
The last line omoi someshi ka means 'I though I had just begun to love her' but it could also be read as omoi someshi ga, which would be 'how I wish I could start to love with no one knowing'.
In karuta, koisu cho [こひすてふ] is one of six ko-cards and one of four ko-cards that can be told from the second syllable.[3]
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Ko-i)
42. Impassioned Vows
Impassioned vows exchanged over many a tear shed to last until the day waves crash over Mount Suenomatsu.
Chigiriki na/Katami ni sode o/Shibori tsutsu/Sue no Matsuyama/Nami kosaji to wa 契りきな かたみに袖を しぼりつつ 末の松山 波越さじとは
Author
Kiyohara no Motosuke
Genre
Love
Karuta Card Type
Four Syllable Card (Chi-gi-ri-ki)
46. I Do Not Know Where This Love Will Take Me
For The episode "I Do Not Know Where This Love Will Take Me", see Episode 44.
Rudderless crossing the Yura Straits,
The boat drifts here and there; Is this the path my love will take―― Heading I know not where?[2]
Yura no to o/Wataru funabito/Kaji o tae/Yukue mo shiranu/Koi no michi kana 由良のとを 渡る舟人 かぢを絶え ゆくへも知らぬ 恋の道かな
Author
Sone no Yoshitada
Genre
Love
Story
Sone no Yoshitada (no dates known), was active as a poet in the last quarter of the tenth century. There is very little else known about him. He spent his official career in the former province of Tango (now north of Kyoto Prefecture), from which came his sobriquets 'Sotango' and 'Sotan', and, in his lifetime, was regarded as an inferior poet. His style and vocabulary were considered peculiar unconventional and unappreciated. Apparently he was a prolific poet and had his own collection, which was common among the aristocracy of day. His work became celebrated for its freshness and vitality during the time of Fujiwara no Teika, who compiled the Hyakunin Isshu, and was increasingly represented in imperial anthologies.
This poem is the most straightforward of all in this anthology. It is clear without hidden meanings. There are only two controversies. The first is that the location of "Yura" isn't know, but exists in both Kii and Tango provinces. Since Yoshitada was a secretary in the province Tango, perhaps he meant that Yura, but it's only speculation. The second is the phrasekaji wo tae (かぢをたえ), the third line. It can either be read askaji wo tae (to lose an oar), orkaji-o tae (the oar cord snaps). The result remains the same.
But in any case, we all know that feeling when we were young and experienced love for the first time how happy, yet lost we were. Things haven't changed in 900 years it seems.
Trivia
This is the card Taichi and Nishida synchorise against Fujisaki High School during the team finals of National High School Championship in draw of luck and win the championship.
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Yu-ra)
47. But For Autumn's Coming
For The episode "But For Autumn's Coming", see Episode 7.
To this house surrounded by weeds, So lonely and so weary, Only autumn comes to visit,
So mellow and so dreary.[2]
Yae mugura/Shigereru yado no/Sabishiki ni/Hito koso mie ne/Aki wa kini keri 八重むぐら 茂れる宿の さびしきに 人こそ見えね 秋は来にけり
Author
Egyō
Genre
Autumn scenery
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Ya-e)
50.
For you I would have given up my life. Now together, I guard it dear.
Kimi ga tame/Oshikarazarishi/Inochi sae/Nagaku mo gana to/Omoi keru kana 君がため 惜しからざりし 命さへ 長くもがなと 思ひけるかな
Author
Fujiwara no Yoshitaka
Genre
Love
Karuta Card Type
Six Syllable Card (Ki-mi-ga-ta-me-O)
51. How Can I Tell Her
For The episode "How Can I Tell Her", see Episode 49.
For The episode "I Feel As Though My Body is on Fire with Ibuki Mugwort", see Episode 36.
You know nothing about these feelings of mine that burn that is on fire - Episode 49
When I must hide these burning feelings, I feel as though my body is on fire with ibuki mugwort.
How can I tell her How fierce my love for her is? Will she understand That the love I feel for her Burns like Ibuki's fire plant?
Kaku to dani/Eyawa ibuki no/Sashimogusa/Sashimo shiraji na/Moyuru omoi o かくとだに えやはいぶきの さしも草 さしも知らじな 燃ゆる思ひを
Author
Fujiwara no Sanekata Ason
Genre
Love
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Ka-ku)
53.
Lying all alone/through the hours of the night/Til the daylight comes:/Can you realize at all/The emptiness of that dark?
Nageki tsutsu/Hitori nuru yo no/Akuru ma wa/Ika ni hisashiki/Mono to kawa shiru 嘆きつつ ひとり寝る夜の 明くる間は いかに久しき ものとかは知る
Author
Michitsuna no Haha
Genre
Love
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (Na-ge-ki)
54. My Fear is That You Will Forget
For The episode "My Fear is That You Will Forget", see Episode 43.
My fear is that you will forget your promise to never forget me, so I would prefer to die now while I am still happy.
Wasureji no/Yukusue made wa/Katakereba/Kyo o kagiri no/Inochi to mo gana 忘れじの 行く末までは かたければ 今日を限りの 命ともがな
Author
Takashina no Kishi (a mother of Gido Sanshi)
Genre
Love
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (Wa-su-re)
55. The Sounds of the Waterfall
For The episode "Sounds of the Waterfall", see Episode 8.
For The episode "But Its Legacy Continues to Spread", see Episode 46.
Though the waterfall/ ceased flowing long ago/and its music is stilled/its name yet flows/and in fame it can be heard.
Taki no oto wa/Taete hisashiku/Narinure do/Na koso nagarete/Nao kikoe kere 滝の音は 絶えて久しく なりぬれど 名こそ流れて なほ聞こえけれ
Author
Dainagon Kinto
Genre
Others
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Ta-ki)
57. Long Last We Meet
For The episode "Long Last We Meet", see Episode 47.
For The episode "The Sight of a Midnight Moon", see Episode 5.
It seems to fit Arata. Whenever I get to meet him, he has to leave right away. It sounds like a love poem, but this poem is about a girl who was her childhood friend, right? It fits perfectly. - Episode 20
Long last we meet, only for me to leave hurriedly, for I could not recognize you, like the moon hidden behind the clouds.
Meeting on the path: But I cannot clearly know If it was he, Because the midnight moon In a cloud had disappeared.
Meguri aite/Mishi ya sore to mo/Wakanu ma ni/Kumo-gakure ni shi/Yowa no tsuki kana めぐり逢ひて 見しやそれとも わかぬ間に 雲がくれにし 夜半の月かな
Author
Murasaki Shikibu
Genre
Others
Karuta Card Type
One Syllable Card (Me)
60. By Ōe Mountain
My first card... I promised myself that I would take this card today! - Episode 9
By Ōe Mountain......and I have yet to visit Amanohashidate Nor read my mother's letters.
The road that goes past Ōe Mountain and Ikuno plain is so far. I have neither ever seen Ama-no-Hashidate, nor got a word from there.
Ōe Yama/Ikuno no michi no/Tōkereba/Mada Fumi mo Mizu/Ama-no-Hashidate 大江山 いく野の道の 遠ければ まだふみも見ず 天の橋立
Author
Lady Koshikibu by David Bull
Koshikibu no Naishi (female, 999-1025)
Genre
Others
Story
Kana-chan 's first card. This poem suits her for not only it begins with Ōe Mountain, but for this poem's meaning. It is the blend of beautiful scenery, poetic art and noble pride of woman.
The author, Lady Koshikibu no Naishi, was the daughter of Izumi Shikibu, one of the Old Thirty-six Poetry Immortals. Inheriting her mother's poesy, Koshikibu's talent had been recognized since her youth. Some people was even jealous of her talent, suspecting that her mother might be ghost-writing for her.
One day, during when her parents were stationed in far Tango Prefecture as the officials, Koshikibu was invited to a poetry party of the Palace in Kyoto. Just before it began, the host of the party, Fujiwara no Sadayori, mocked her, asking "Has your messenger to your mother in Tango already come back? Tango is so far that I've got worried if your mother's letter (of ghostwritten poems) arrives in time."
Instead of bearing or raging, Koshikibu replied with an artful poem. Literally, it tells the longing for visiting the famous scenery of Ama no Hashidate (The Heaven's Bridge) in Tango, which is beyond Mount Oe and Ikuno plane.
The road to Mount Oe and Ikuno's plain are so very far. Thus I have not yet ever step in The Heaven's Bridge.
However, if you interpret it using rhetoric technique of Kake-kotoba(Pivot Words, phonological double-meaning), it becomes the response to Sadayori.
The road to Mount Oe, which is on the way to Tango, is so very far. Thus I have never seen The Heaven's Bridge in Tango. How could I have seen the letter that you mean?
Being ashamed by the brilliant poem, Sadayori ran away from the party despite that he was due to make a replying poem by the etiquette.
Unfortunately, she passed away at her age of 26. She left many good love poems, and it seems she later became a kind of idol among young women of that age.
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (O-o-e)
61. Now Bloom Inside the Ninefold Palace
For The episode "Now Bloom Inside the Ninefold Palace", see Episode 6.
Inishie no/Nara no miyako no/Yae-zakura/Kyō kokonoe ni/Nioi nuru kana いにしへの 奈良の都の 八重桜 今日九重に にほひぬるかな
Author
Ise no Taifu
Genre
Spring scenery
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (I-ni)
62.
Said night was young when the false rooster crowed, but the gates of Osaka remained shut.
Yo o komete/Tori no sorane wa/Hakaru tomo/Yo ni Ōsaka no/Seki wa yurusaji 夜をこめて 鳥のそらねは はかるとも よに逢坂の 関はゆるさじ
Author
Sei Shōnagon
Genre
Others
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Yo-o)
63. After I Determined to Abandon
After I determined to abandon my love, my only regret is that I have no way to tell you in person.
Ima wa tada/Omohi tae nan/To bakari o/Hitozutenara de/Iu yoshi mogana いまはただ 思ひ絶えなむ とばかりを 人づてならで いふよしもがな
Author
Fujiwara no Michimasa (992-1054)
Genre
Love
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (I-ma-wa)
66. For There Is No One Else Out Here
For The episode "For There Is No One Else Out Here", see Episode 14.
As I said earlier, my love is fundamentally differnt from yours. - Episode 6
Would the mountain cherry blossoms return my affection for there is no one else out here.
Let us two sympathize, Oh mountain cherry tree; For there is no one other than me and your blossoms.
Morotomo ni/Aware to omoe/Yamazakura/Hana yori hoka ni/Shiru hito mo nashi もろともに あはれと思へ 山桜 花よりほかに 知る人もなし
Author
Former Chief Abbot Gyoson (male, 1055-1135)
Former Chief Abbot Gyoson by David Bull
Genre
Others (Loneliness)
Story
Abbot Gyouson was born as a child of noble family in the Capital of Nara. Facing his father's death at his age of 12, he entered the priesthood and became seroious ascetic monk who underwent hard ascetic practices. One day during the practice, he stumbled across a beautiful mountain cherry tree in a deep mountain. The cherry blossoms reminded him of nostalgic memories he had experienced in his days at Capital. For being isolated old man, he asked the tree if it could yearn for him as he yearned for the cherry blossoms and its memories.
The scene of Kanade's traditional kimono clothing shop in Chihayafuru anime episode 6 was not in the original manga version. Kana-chan reciting this poem while looking at kimonos by herself is awesome rendition on adding a great flaver to the story! This poem may represent Kanade's heart; the feel of isolation and the love for traditional things, like no one other than kimonos share her distress.
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Mo-ro)
Former Chief Abbot Gyoson from David Bull's Hyakunin Isshu Woodblock print series
Image Photo from Nonohana blog
68.
As the years pass, I will find myself longing for the sight of the midnight moon.
Kokoro ni mo/Arade ukiyo ni/Nagaraeba/Koishikaru beki/Yowa no tsuki kana 心にも あらでうき世に ながらへば 恋しかるべき 夜半の月かな
Author
Emperor Sanjō
Genre
Others
Karuta Card Type
Four Syllable Card (Ko-ko-ro-ni)
69. To Set the Tatsuta River Ablaze
For The episode "To Set the Tatsuta River Ablaze", see Episode 31.
The storm.......to set the Tatsuta River ablaze.
By the wind storm's blast From mimuro's mountationslopes Maples Leaves are torn which turn tatsuta river Into a rich brocade
Arashi fuku/Mimuro no Yama no/Momijiba wa/Tatsuta no Kawa no/Nishiki nari keri 嵐吹く 三室の山の もみぢ葉は 竜田の川の 錦なりけり
Author
The Monk Noin (male, 998-1050)
Genre
Autumn scenery
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (A-ra-shi-)
70.
When all alone
I leave my hut And gaze around, Everywhere it's the same Autumn Twilight.
Sabishisa ni/Yado wo tachi idete/Nagamureba/Izuko mo onaji/Aki no yugure 寂しさに
宿を立ち出でて ながむれば いづこも同じ 秋の夕暮れ
Author
Monk Ryosen Hōshi (male, ca. 990 - ca. 1060)
Genre
Story
Ryosen Hōshi aka Ryozen composed it while doing austerities in a remote hut outside the capital. He was a monk at Mt. Hiei and also served as betto (administrator) at Gionsha Shrine. He retired in Ohara, north of Kyoto. Thirty-two of his poems are extant.
The notion of "Autumn Sunset" appears a lot in Japanese poetry, but apparently its meaning differs depending on the time and place. Ryosen Hoshi gives a more melancholy, almost Buddhist, tone implying that the world around him is declining into winter and possibly, metaphorically declining in a general Buddhist sense. However, Sei Shonagon (poem 62) also wrote about Autumn Sunset in herPillow Book, but used it to describe crows and wild-geese flying.
Nagamu (gaze around) can also mean 'lost in melancholy thoughts, chant or compose a poem'. Isn't that wonderful? The mind-scope of the ancient Japanese poets went from 'gaze out into the distance' over 'become lost in melancholy thoughts' to 'compose a poem'.
An Autumn Sunset means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but it still is significant one way or another.
Karuta Card Type
72. While Some Dodge the Famous Waves
"While some" is followed by "I deflect". I don't remember the entire poem. **Snap!** - Episode 12
While some dodge the famous waves of Takashi shore to avoid getting wet, I deflect your artful words to keep my sleeves dry.
Well I know the fame of the restless waves that break on Takashi's shore. I better not let my sleeves wet by them, nor by your words.
Oto ni kiku/Takashi no hama no/Adanami wa/Kakeji ya sode no/Nure mo koso sure 音にきく 高師の浜の あだ浪は かけじや袖の ぬれもこそすれ
Author
Lady-in-Waiting Kii by David Bull
Lady-in-Waiting Yushi Naishin-no-ke no Kii (female, 11th century).
Genre
Love
Story
Quoting Kanade,
This is a poem about how a woman was able to successfully ward off a playboy's advances!
A highly artful and rhetorical poem with lot of double-meaning phrases.
Oto ni kiku= Hearing the sound of waves, hearing rumors
Takashi = The Shore of Takashi, much-talked
Kakeji = Not let something wet, Not give heart to someone
Sode no Nuremo- = wet one's sleeves by waves, wet one's sleeves by tears
Using these rhetorics, the short 31-syllable poem becomes very rich in content.
" I know the fame of your pick-up lines well like the famous waves of Takashi's Shore. They are attractive like the restless waves of the shore, right? When they visit the shore, they would be careful not to let their sleeves wet by waves. Then I too shall be careful not to let my sleeves wet by my tears." Better next time, pretty boy!
Actually, the auther, Lady-in-Waiting Kii, was 70 years old when she wrote this poem at a poetry party. The theme of the party was "Exchanging Love Poems", a kind of role-playing love game that ladies and gentlemen exchange love poems each other and then enjoy reading them.
In the poem session, Lady Kii's partner was 29 years old handsome gentleman Fujiwara no Toshitada. His poem was a passionate one;
人知れぬ 思いありその 浦風に 波のよるこそ 言はまほしけれ
To tell the truth, I'm giving my heart to you. Like sea waves break on Ariso's Shore with night breezes, I want to visit your room at nighttime more than once.
Recieving this artful and rhetorical poem, Lady Kii answered, or declined gracefully to be precise, with witty, more artful and more rhetorical poem, while sharing the same topic.
Imagine the smile of a pretty old woman and the bitter smile of a handsome young man. How cute!
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (O-to)
Yushi Naishin-no Kii from David Bull's Hyakunin Isshu Woodblock print series
73. Nobody Wishes to See the Beautiful Cherry Blossoms
For The episode "Nobody Wishes to See the Beautiful Cherry Blossoms", see Episode 24.
For The episode "To See The Beautiful Cherry Blossoms", see Episode 48.
Takasago no/O no e no sakura/Saki ni keri/Toyama no kasumi/Tatazu mo ara nan 高砂の 尾の上の桜 咲きにけり 外山の霞 立たずもあらなむ
Author
Ōe no Masafusa
Genre
Spring scenery
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Ta-ka)
76. The Cresting Waves Almost Look Like Clouds in the Skies
For The episode "The Cresting Waves Almost Look Like Clouds in the Skies", see Episode 20.
Wata no hara/Kogi idete mireba/Hisakata no/Kumoi ni magō/Oki tsu shiranami わたの原 こぎ出でて見れば ひさかたの 雲居にまがふ 沖つ白波
Author
Fujiwara no Tadamichi
Genre
Others
Karuta Card Type
Six Syllable Card (Wa-ta-no-ha-ra-ko)
77. Swift Waters Parted by the Jagged Rocks
So Ayase must have started a Karuta club so she could see him at nationals. - Episode 10
Swift waters parted by the jagged rocks are joined at river's end.
Though the stream is divided by a boulder in its swift flow, I know the twain will soon unite again.
Se o Hayami/Iwa ni Sekaruru/Takigawa no/Warete mo sue ni/Awan tozo Omou 瀬をはやみ 岩にせかるる 滝川の われても末に あはむとぞ思ふ
Author
Emperor Sutoku (male, 1119-1164)
Genre
Love
Story
A nature poem which implicitly expresses the vow of parting lovers, who swear they will eventually meet again. As Kanade quoted it in Episode 10, this may be the theme poem of the relationship between Chihaya and Arata. It must be more than coincidence that this is Chihaya's very first card she won at her first Karuta game against Arata.
Quite ironically during Mizusawa's third year at the National High School Championship, playing against the Fujioka East High School Karuta Club for 3rd place, Chihaya's opponent is Arata. But as Chihaya's entire attention is on being a captain and leading her team she is unaware of whom she is paired against and is winning with a high lead. Reiko, who is at Nationals with Mizusawa's other members' mothers, calls Taichi who has left the club at the beginning of the year (Chihaya too leaves the club but returns in time for regionals). Taichi's entry is noted by everyone except Chihaya and Arata. The former wanting to being an excellent captain and focusing on her and her team's win, and the latter desperately trying to make Chihaya aware that they are finally playing together. Arata swipes this card. Chihaya's attention is at last drawn when Chihayafuru is called out, which is a dead card in the current game,but the first person she notices is Taichi. After she goes back to her game she realises that she was playing Arata all this time. In the end Mizusawa wins 5-0 and Arata's defeat by Chihaya shocking everyone, especially Shinobu. But Chihaya's sole attention is on Taichi.
Trivia
While the entire series point out that Chihaya and Arata's romantic relationship is of Star-crossed lovers, in Volume 31, Chapter 163 Chihaya and Taichi are really and truly suited to this poem.
Karuta Card Type
One Syllable Card (Se)
79. Moonlight, Clear and Bright
For The episode "Moonlight, Clear and Bright", see Episode 25.
Akikaze ni/Tanabiku kumo no/Tae ma yori/More izuru tsuki no/Kage no sayakesa 秋風に たなびく雲の 絶え間より もれ出づる月の 影のさやけさ
Author
Fujiwara no Akisuke
Genre
Autumn scenery
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (A-ki-ka)
83. World Offers No Escape
For The episode "World Offers No Escape", see Episode 17.
But you're using tennis as a substitute for Karuta! That's not fair to tennis. - Episode 8
The world offers no escape. Even I hide in the mountains, only to hear the haunting cry of deer.
In this world of ours, There is no way to float above pain. Even lost in thought in the depths of the mountains, I hear the deer crying.
Yononaka yo/Michi koso Nakere/Omoi iru/Yama no Oku nimo/Shika zo Naku naru 世の中よ 道こそなけれ 思ひ入る 山の奥にも 鹿ぞ鳴くなる
Author
Fujiwara no Shunzei
Genre
Others (Recall)
Karuta Card Type
Five Syllable Card (Yo-no-na-ka-yo)
84. As the Years Pass
For The episode "As the Years Pass", see Episode 19.
May I live to see the day when I long for the agony I feel now......
If I should live long, then perhaps the present days may be dear to me, just as past time filled with grief comes quietly back in thought.
Nagaraeba/Mata Konogoro ya/Shinobaren/Ushi to Mishi yo zo/Ima wa Koishiki ながらへば またこのごろや しのばれむ 憂しと見し世ぞ いまは恋しき
Author
Fujiwara no Kiyosuke (male. 1104-1177)
Genre
Others
Story
This poem was composed by Fujiwara no Kiyosuke (1104-1177), with the title Ason, who was the second son of Fujiwara no Akisuke (poem 79). After his father's death he became the head of the Rokujo school of poetry. He was the compiler of the ShokuShikashu and wrote treatises on poetry, like the Ogi Sho and Fukuro-zoshi. He belongs to the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets. He has ninety-six poems in imperial anthologies.
At heart, this poem is about nostalgia, how bitter things now somehow soften over time. Everyone can think of a bitter time in their life, but looking back nostalgia makes it seem sweeter than it was back then. It's also a reminder that if we are going through a hard time now, it won't always be that way in the future.
Shinobu has two meanings, 'to bear, endure' referring to the bygone days of the first two lines, or 'to think of fondly, be nostalgic about' referring to the following lines; it's the hinge that connects both parts.
Some think this may have alluded to the decline of the times, and in particular the Hōgen Rebellion, mentioned also in poem 76 and poem 77. But even if that were true, it's interesting how we tend to look back on this era with a kind of bitter-sweet nostalgia, far removed from the pain and destruction caused at the time.
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (Na-ga-ra)
86. May My Sighs Be Blamed upon the Moon
May my sighs be blamed upon the moon, or do my tears come from the feelings it evokes?
Should I blame the moon for bringing forth this sadness, as if it pictured grief? Lifting up my troubled face, I regard it through my tears.
Nageke tote/Tsuki ya wa mono o/Omowasuru/Kakochi gao naru/Waga namida kana 嘆けとて 月やは物を 思はする かこち顔なる わが涙かな
Author
Saigyo Hoshi (male. 1118-1190)
Genre
Others
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (Na-ge-ke)
87. Rain Takes Longer to Dry
For The episode "Rain Takes Longer to Dry", see Episode 35.
The passing shower's
Raindrops are still drying On the yew plum pines When yet the mist starts rising On this autumn evening.
Murasame no/Tsuyu mo mada hunu/Maki no ha ni/Kiri tachi noboru/Aki no yūgure 村雨の 露もまだひぬ まきの葉に 霧立ちのぼる 秋の夕暮れ
Author
Jakuren Hoshi
Genre
Autumn scenery
Story
Jakuren Hoshi (1139 - 1202), with personal name Fujiwara no Sadanaga, was the son of Ajari Shunkai, brother of Shunzei (poem 83). He was adopted by Shunzei. With Teika (poem 97) and Ietaka (poem 98) he frequented the Mikohidari salon of poetry. He contributed as an editor to the Shin Kokinshu. He has 116 poems in imperial collections.
The problem with the expression 'rising mist' is that we can either see it as a lifting or slow disappearance of the mist, or on the contrary as a rising and increasing level of the mist.
Interestingly, the poetic versekiri tachinoboru (霧立ち上る) or "the mist is already rising", was coined by Jakuren and was associated with him by later poets and commentators.
Fujiwara no Teika, another member of the House of Mikohidari, didn't praise this poem at first, and it made the "cutting floor" of the Imperial anthology that Jakuren helped compile, the Shin-Kokinshū, or in other anthologies. And yet, years later, it appears here in the Hyakunin Isshu by Fujiwara no Teika. The poem is generally viewed as a simple, straightforward descriptive poem, which is perhaps why it wasn't as highly revered as other more subtle poems, or poems with more of a backstory.
Karuta Card Type
One Syllable Card (Mu)
89.
Nothing can be worse than living a moment longer when I cannot bear growing any weaker than I already have.
Like a string of gems, Grown weak, my life will break now; For if I live on
All I do to hide me love May at last grow weak and fail
Tama no o yo/Taenaba taene/Nagaraeba/Shinoburu koto no/Yowari mo zo suru 玉の緒よ 絶えなば絶えね ながらへば 忍ぶることの 弱りもぞする
Author
Princess Shikishi
Genre
Love
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Ta-ma)
93. The world offers no change
The world offers no change. I pray......
If only our world-- Could be always as it is!-- How moving the sight Of the little fishing boat Drawn by ropes along the bank.
Yo no naka wa/Tsune ni mogamo na/Nagisa Kogu/Ama no Obune no/Tsunade Kanashi mo 世の中は 常にもがもな 渚こぐ あまの小舟の 綱手かなしも
Author
Kamakura no Udaijin (male, 1192-1219)
Genre
Parting
Karuta Card Type
Five Syllable Card (Yo-no-na-ka-wa)
97．As I Wait For Someone
It really took you so long...those words are so long overdue, Tsukue-kun.... - Chapter 173
As I wait for someone who will never come, my body burns like the seaweed drying on the shores of Matsuho.
Like the salt seaweed, burning in the evening calm. On Matsuo's shore, all my being is aflame, waiting for her who does not come.
Konu hito o/Matsuho no ura no/Yūnagi ni/Yaku ya moshio no/Mi mo kogare tsutsu 来ぬ人を まつほの浦の 夕なぎに 焼くや藻塩の 身もこがれつつ
Author
Fujiwara no Teika (male, 1192-1219)
Genre
Love
Karuta Card Type
Two Syllable Card (Ko-nu)
98．The Only Sign of Summer
For The episode "The Only Sign of Summer", see Episode 37.
Kaze soyogu/Nara no ogawa no/Yūgure wa/Misogi zo natsu no/Shirushi nari keru 風そよぐ ならの小川の 夕暮れは みそぎぞ夏の しるしなりける
Author
Fujiwara no Ietaka
Genre
Summer scenery
Karuta Card Type
Three Syllable Card (Ka-ze-so)
100．Be As Dear Now, Those Were the Good Old Days
For The episode "Be As Dear Now, Those Were the Good Old Days", see Episode 30.
For The episode "Sets These Forbidden Fields Aglow", see Episode 12.
Going over the fields of murasaki grass
that shimmer crimson,
going over the fields marked as imperial domain,
will the guardian of the fields not see you
as you wave your sleeves at me?
You came to see me at forbidden field of crimson gromwell field. Won't the groundkeeper see that you are waving your sleeves at me?
Akane sasu/Murasaki-no yuki/Shimeno yuki/Nomori wa mizu ya/Kimi ga sode furu あかねさす 紫野行き 標野行き 野守は見ずや 君が袖振る
Author
Nukata no Ōkimi (female, 7th century)
Genre
Other
Story
Quoting Kanade;
It's from Ten Thousand Leaves. The poem was written by Emperor Tenji's wife (concubine), Lady Nukata. It tells the story of when her former husband, Prince Oama, snuck into her husband's lands and waved to her. Lady Nukata was so happy to see him. But she worried that someone might see them together. The human heart never changes... -Episode 12
Actually the poem doesn't mention anything about sunset. Kana-chan lively imagined the sunset scenery from "crimson gromwell field" phrase. Gromwell is the material plant of purple dyestuff, which was very precious. Thus the gromwell field was staked out as the Emperor's property at that age. Lady Nukata and her former husband were secretly meeting at the treasured field of her present husband, who happen to be the Emperor of the nation. This must be one of the most forbidden love one can imagine!
Kana-chan said in episode 12 that the human heart never changes from ancient Japan to today. The intriguing is that the theme of this poem is also "never-changing love." By reciting this poem, she is telling that her sight of the fact that karuta cards are poetry won't change even after she learns how to play it as a game and as a sport.
Chihaya also recited this poem when she arrived at Oumi Jingu Station in Shiga Prefecture. There may be two meanings; One, she is feeling the 1400-years history of Oumi and the connection between ancient people and present her. Two, her feeling for Arata has never changed even now.
Lady Nukata is an unique historical figure. Her official record was only one line; "Lady Nukata was Load Kagami's daughter who married with Prince Oama, and had Princess Tōchi." However she left many poems that eloquently tell her dramatic life. Actually the fact that she was a concubine of Emperor Tenji is just a scholar's conjecture based on this poem and the answer poem by Prince Oama. Somehow she is popular among old culture fangirls (like Kanade), and some mangaka including Michiko Satonaka and Waki Yamato wrote her biography manga.
References
↑ 1.01.1mistranslation from "わがころもでにゆきはふりつつ (Snow falls upon my sleeves)"?
↑ 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.72.8Translations of the Collection of 100 poems on "Chihayafuru" Manga Bilingual Edition vol. 1
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