KKS 60
Text
寛平御時后の宮の歌合の歌
A poem at the Empress' Poetry Competition in the Kampyō era
友則
み吉野の山べに咲ける桜花雪かとのみぞあやまたれける
|
Miyoshino no |
On holy Yoshino |
Notes
- Holy Yoshino
- Yoshino mountain is a range of mountains in the Nara area; the mi prefix indicates beauty or holiness.
Other sources:
Analysis
The "elegant confusion" mitate of the poem is familiar. The focus of the poem seems to be that Yoshino was well known for snow at the time, so it makes particular sense that Yoshino's cherries would be confused for snow.
Alternate sources for the poem read "clouds" instead of "snow," which is a more common comparison in later periods, especially when Yoshino became more known for cherry trees. It is not clear which reading is original or when the alternate version arose.
Kamo no Mabuchi was particularly fond of this poem, saying that it expressed a real sentiment based on observation, had poetic strength, and it was much to be wished that more poetry was like it.
