KKS 37

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Text

題しらず

Topic unknown

素性法師

Priest Sosei

よそにのみあはれとぞ見し梅の花あかぬ色香は折りてなりけり

yoso ni nomi aware to zo mi-shi mume no hana akanu iro ka wa ori-te nari-keri

From afar only Have I seen them as moving. The plum blossoms Now that I plucked it I don't tire Of its color or scent.

Notes

From afar

yoso ni may well have a psychological meaning here instead of physical -- I thought the plums were something I would have no connection with, until I picked them.

Other sources:

• Kokin waka rokujō
• Teika hachidaishō

Analysis

The basic meaning of the poem is clear enough: the plums were beautiful enough seen from afar, but having plucked one he understands the true depth of the scent and color.

However, there are strong undertones of love poetry in the poem, and in the Sosei collection the prose preface says this was sent to a person along with a plum blossom. If from afar is read with its common love poem meaning, this may be a poem sent to a woman, suggesting a closer feeling after meeting someone. Another possibility is that this is a poem of thanks, perhaps for a gift of plum blossoms. Katagiri supports this as the most likely reading.

Takeoka points out that the poem may be intended as humorous: the first two lines trick the audience into thinking it will be a love poem, but with the third line the actual meaning becomes clear.

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