Translation
On the third day of the New Year, Empress Nijou, then known as the Mother of the Crown Prince, summoned Yasuhide to receive her requests. As he bowed before her, she saw snow falling on his head while the sun was shining. She ordered him to compose a poem.
Touched by the light
Of a spring day,
I feel wretched nonetheless
Wearing this crown
Of snowy white.
Japanese | Pronunciation |
文屋やすひで | Funya no Yasuhide |
春の日の | Haru no hi no |
ひかりにあたる | Hikari ni ataru |
我なれど | Ware naredo |
かしらの雪と | Kashira no yuki to |
なるぞわびしき | Naru zo wabishiki |
Translation Notes
Spring ’s day ’s [=day of spring]
Bright/light touch/contact/hit
I/my but/however
Head/I-wonder/ka+white ’s snow and
Become miserable/wretched/lonely/worried/pined-for
The Crown Prince’s residence was also known as the Spring Palace. Thus, being touched by the light of a spring day symbolizes his mother’s favor. “Kashira” contains “shira,” meaning “white,” thus punning on “snow” to say that he has white hair (i.e., is getting old). Thus the poem has a two meanings: “I am enjoying a spring day but feel sad because of the snow” or “I am enjoying the Crown Prince’s favor but feel sad because I am getting old.”
Year:
2012
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