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Audio: NHK Creative Library
Read by LibriVox volunteer Larry Wilson.
Audio courtesy of LibriVox (Public Domain).
貞信公
小倉山
峰のもみぢ葉
心あらば
今ひとたびの
みゆき待たなむ
いまひとた
ひのみゆき
またなむ
おぐ
- Poem 26
- 小倉山
峰のもみぢ葉
心あらば
今ひとたびの みゆき待たなむ
Author: Teishin-kō (880–949)
Source: Shūi Wakashū, Autumn Miscellany
- English Verse Translation
- The maples of Mount Ogura, If they could understand, Would keep their brilliant leaves, until
The Ruler of this land Pass with his royal band.
— William N. Porter, 1909
- Modern Translation
- O maple leaves of Ogura Mountain, if you have a heart — hold on a little longer, until the emperor's visit.
- Commentary
- This poem was composed by Teishin-kō while accompanying Retired Emperor Uda, who, deeply moved by the autumn leaves of Mount Ogura, exclaimed that he wished to show this beautiful sight to his son, Emperor Daigo, as well. The poem conveys Uda's wish to share this moving scene with his own child.
- About the Poet
- Teishin-kō (Fujiwara no Tadahira) was born the youngest son of Fujiwara no Mototsune. He served as regent (sesshō) to Emperor Suzaku and later became chancellor (kanpaku), playing a key role in building the Fujiwara clan's prosperity. Known for his gentle character, he is said to have remained close friends until the end with Sugawara no Michizane — exiled to Dazaifu by Tadahira's own elder brother, Fujiwara no Tokihira. He contributed to raising the Fujiwara clan's standing and to political stability, and was posthumously honored with the name "Teishin-kō" in recognition of his achievements. He was the grandfather of Kentoku-kō.
- Teishin-kō's Chart of the Heart
-
A chart and a modern-language reflection of the poet's inner feelings.
The Poet's Feelings (A Personal Interpretation)
Struck by the beauty of the autumn leaves
painting the mountain, I catch my breath.Please don't scatter before then —
I want him to see this view too.
- Poem Illustration
-
This image is based on an illustration from William N. Porter's A Hundred Verses from Old Japan, his 1909 English translation of the Hyakunin Isshu published in England, colorized and reworked using Adobe Firefly (generative AI).