KKS 80
Text
心地損なひてわづらひける時に、風にあたらじとておろしこめてのみ侍りける間に、折れる桜の散りがたになれりけるを見てよめる
When she was suffering and feeling sick, she did not want the wind blowing on her so she was always secluded in her room with the blinds down; during this period she looked at the withering of a picked cherry blossom and read this.
藤原因香朝臣
Lady Fujiwara no Yoruka
たれこめて春の行方も知らぬ間に待ちし桜もうつろひにけり
|
tarekome-te |
When shut inside |
Notes
- Progression of spring
- The exact meaning of haru no yukue is debated. The two most common opinions are represented by Takeoka and Katagiri. Takeoka's explanation is that being shut inside, she is not aware of the progression of spring through the various key points (blooming plums, scattering cherries, etc). Katagiri interprets it as the result or endpoint of spring.
Other sources:
Analysis
This is another poem that has an extended prose preface showing the circumstances of the composition. There is a connection to the previous poem in that both involve barriers to experiencing the seasonal imagery.
Most commenters have noted the pathos and sorrow of the scene: Yoruka is unable to experience the spring because she is shut up indoors from illness, to the point where she cannot even feel the wind. The fourth line points to the cherry blossoms that she was waiting to see, but in the end was unable to.
