One Thousand Summers

In the  quiet  spring sunlight cherry’s new blossoms in a whirlwind of petals descend. *  

Although I never knew the ways of letters, Buddhist Novice (Renshō) has carefully insisted that I write the poem cartouches  for sliding doors of Saga Chūin. Even though they are awfully unsightly, written half-heartedly, I am sending them away. From the ancient times, a poem from every poet, from Emperor Tenji ( 1 )  to Ietaka ( 2 )  and Masatsune ( 3 ) .

After many, many years, eight-fold cherries of the capital in Nara, now bloom inside the nine-fold palace.*

My fear is that you will forget your promise to never forget me, so I would prefer to die now while I am still happy. 

Composed as one of fifty poems on flowers at the house of Goky ōgoku Regent

So the flower has wilted during the long spring rains, just as my beauty has faded during my forlorn years in this world.

Composed on falling snow − Ki no Tsurayuki 紀貫之   Enshrouded in mists trees come into bud, for spring snow falls, flowers scatter even in villages where no flower blooms  yet .

In order for us to find our way home, the plum blossoms still smell the same.