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The Ogura Hundred Poets was completed during the Kamakura period. Fujiwara no Teika compiled them by taking one poem each from 100 of the best poets in chronological order from Emperor Tenji to the Retired Emperor Juntoku to decorate the sliding doors at the Ogura mountain villa, the summer home of the general and poet Utsunomiya Yoritsuna. Many of selected poems were ornamental in nature, because they were meant to be used as decoration. Seventy-nine male poets! Twenty-one female poets! I am particulary attracted to the works of female poets! You can feel the seasons and modesty in ways that can't be found in modern poetry! - Kanade Oe

The Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (小倉百人一首), often simply called Hyakunin Isshu (lit. "One Hundred Poets, One Poem [Each]") or Hundred Poets, is a collection of 100 traditional Japanese poems by 100 Japanese poets. The collection dates from the 12th century, and was compiled by the Japanese poet Fujiwara no Teika while he lived in the Ogura district of Kyoto, hence its name. The poems in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu form the basis for the Karuta deck.

Notes[]

  • Poems are displayed in three forms: Subber's translation, Alternative text translation and Rōmaji/Kanji text.
  • A 31-syllable Tanka poem typically doesn't have an official title other than its author's name. In this wiki page, the names shown next to numbers are made up by the writer of this article for the sake of convenience.
  • Woodblock print images are used under Creative Commons license of David Bull.
  • Hyakunin Isshu Day was celebrated on May 27, 2016.

Opening Poem - Now the Flower Blooms[]

For The episode "Now the Flower Blooms", see Episode 1.
Have you heard? One of the new students is the younger sister of the model Ayase Chitose! - Episode 1
Naniwa Bay, now the flower blooms, but for winter. Here comes spring, now the flower blooms. In Naniwa Bay, now the flowers are blossoming. After lying dormant all winter, now the spring has come and the flowers are blossoming. Naniwa-zu ni/Sakuya kono hana/Fuyu-gomori/Ima o haru-be to/Sakuya kono hana
難波津に 咲くやこの花 冬ごもり いまを春べと 咲くやこの花

Author[]

Wani, a semi-legendary scholar who is said to have come to Japan from Baekje (present-day Korea) around the late 3rd century.

Genre[]

Spring scenery

Story[]

After the three years of interregnum, the 16th emperor of Japan, Emperor Nintoku, finally assumed the Imperial Throne. The poem was written to celebrate the reign of the emperor and to wish for his reign to flourish.
This poem actually has nothing to do with the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu; it is from the Kokin Wakashu, a poem anthology which was compiled about 300 years prior to Ogura. During the Heian period, it was considered the first poem that any poet should learn; hence it is now used as the opening poem in competitive karuta matches.
The flower here refers to plum blossoms, which bloom prior to the advent of spring. The coming spring implies the beginning of a new era. Thus it is an appropriate opening for the Chihayafuru story.

Karuta Card Type[]

Opening poem - not a karuta card

Trivia[]

  • The tomb of Emperor Nintoku is said to be the biggest tomb in the world, though the fact is lesser known to the world for some reason.
  • Meiji period poet Nobutsuna Sasaki is said to have suggested this poem as an appropriate prelude for competitive karuta.

1. Of the Autumn Rice Field[]

For The episode "Of the Autumn Rice Field", see Episode 45.
For The episode "As My Sleeves Are Wet With Dew"[1], see Episode 21.
Incredible... Incredible! Incredible! Incredible! Teach me more, Kana-chan! Starting from The Autumn Paddy!
Huh? All one hundred poems?! - Episode 6
The autumn paddy shacks have rough thatching as my sleeves are wet with dew. Of the autumn paddy, shacks have rough thatching. Sheltering there, my sleeves are wet with dew. Aki no ta no/Kariho no io no/Toma o arami/Waga koromode wa/Tsuyu ni nure tsutsu
秋の田の かりほの庵の 苫をあらみ わが衣手は 露にぬれつつ

Author[]

01

Emperor Tenji by David Bull

Emperor Tenji (male, 626-672). The 38th emperor of Japan.

Genre[]

Autumn scenery

Story[]

Quoting Kanade

This poem is supposed to have been written by Emperor Tenji, but it is believed that this was edited from an anonymous poem in the Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves. A paddy shack is a small cabin for farmers. When the farmers rest under the rough roof of sedge and strew, They discover that their sleeves are wet with dew. So Fujiwara no Teika may have started with this poem to convey the idea of an ideal emperor who understand the hard work of the farmers. - Episode 6

Emperor Tenji, aka Prince Naka no Oe, is known for the revolution rising against Soga clan, including the assasination of the old ruler Soga no Iruka. The incident was successful, and he later firmed the foundation of long-lasting Japanese Imperial reign. This poem proves that he was highly respected as a tender-hearted good ruler despite of the brutal incident of his younger age. Maybe the name of Oe Kanade is taken from his alternative name?

Oumijungu

Oumi Jinguu Shrine in Chihayafuru OP.

The Emperor Tenji is enshrined in Oumi Jinguu Shrine in Shiga Prefecture. Celebrating the Number 1 of Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, the shrine hosts the annual National Karuta Competition which all the Karuta players dream of participating at. The highlight of the tournament is, of cource, the title match for Master and Queen. The very beginning of Chiahayafuru manga Vol.1 starts with the scene Chihaya fighting the Queen title match! How long we need to wait until the actual story will come?

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (A-ki-no)

Related Links[]

Tenji Tenno from David Bull's Hyakunin Isshu Woodblock print series

2. So Spring Ends and Summer Comes[]

Ōe-san! The upperclassmen are throwing a fit! - Episode 6
So spring ends and summer comes. Now white robes hang to dry on Mount Amanokagu. The spring has passed and the summer come again; For the white robes are spread to dry on the Mount of Kaguyama. Haru sugite/Natsu ki ni kerashi/Shirotae no/Koromo hosuchou/Ama-no-Kaguyama
春過ぎて 夏来にけらし 白妙の 衣干すてふ 天の香具山

Author[]

02 empress jito

Emperor Jitoh by David Bull

Empress Jitoh, The 41st emperor of Japan.

Genre[]

Summer scenery

Story[]

Episode6 green and white

This is a landscape poem about the beautiful contrast of verdurous mountains and pure-white robes. The green of young leaves is the signature color for early summer, which comes after the pink of cherry blossom season.


And of course, a good kimono coordinator like Kanade never misses the seasonal senses.

Episode6 color moegi
Japanese Color
Moegi-iro
萌黄色

#A9D159
The color of yellowish green called "Moegi(-iro)" brings to mind the leaf bud of early summer. In Heian era, It was favored as a color for young people.


Japanese phrase "新緑の候" ("the season of verdure" "the season of fresh greenly") indicates the season around March. At the age of Empress Jitoh, there was a palace ceremony of Koromogae (Updating Wardrobe) in this season. The ladies-in-waiting packed their winter clothes, and they hung their summer clothes out for airing. Seeing the white robes hung on Mount Kaguyama, the Empress Jitoh imagined the beautiful scenery was like a work of heavenly ladies, for the legend said that the Mount of Ama-no-Kaguyama in Nara Prefecture had fallen from the heaven. (Ama-no- means "heavenly".)

Kana-chan recites this poem at the beginning of Chihayafuru anime episide 6. It's not only because she was hanging a towel on her head, but maybe the mangaka is trying to tell the advent of new season, with the meassage of "we are moving to the next stage."

Empress Jitoh was a daughter of the Emperor Tenji. She is also known as her childhood name of Princess Unono Sarara, which sounds very anime-ish cutesy name for today's standard. She decided to enthrone herself after being bereaved of both her husband, Emperor Tenmu, and her prince.

The established manga artist Machiko Satonaka has been writing the dramatic biography of the Empress as her lifework ("Tenjo no niji (The Rainbow in the Sky)").

Trivia[]

The ceremony of Koromogae was lost at the age of the editor of the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu. So he modified the original poem,

The spring has passed and summer comes again. White robes are spread to dry on Mount Ama-no-Kaguyama (春過ぎて 夏来たるらし 白妙の 衣ほしたり 天の香具山)

to

The spring has passed and summer comes again. White robes were spread to dry on Mount Ama-no-Kaguyama, so they say. (春過ぎて 夏来たるらし 白妙の 衣ほてふチョウ 天の香具山)

when he compiled the collection. Maybe the modern concept of copyright is just a senseless greed for people of the past?

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (Ha-ru-su)

Related Links[]

Jito Tenno from David Bull's Hyakunin Isshu Woodblock print series
Empress Jitoh from Machiko Satonaka's lifework manga series "Rainbow in the Sky - the Legend of Empress Jitoh- "

4. No Matter Where I Stand[]

For The episode "No Matter Where I Stand", see Episode 40.
For The episode "On Mt. Fuji’s Lofty Peak, by the Drift of Falling Snow", see Episode 50.
Arata, take care of her. The four of us can still win this match. - Episode 13
No matter where I go on the shores of Tago, I can look up and see white snow, it keeps falling on the cap of Mount Fuji. Tago no ura ni/Uchi-idete mireba/Shirotae no/Fuji no takane ni/Yuki wa furitsutsu
田子の浦に うち出でて見れば 白妙の 富士の高嶺に 雪は降りつつ

Author[]

Kakinomoto no Hitomaro

Genre[]

Winter scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Ta-go)

6. The Night is Nearly Past[]

For The episode "The Night is Nearly Past", see Episode 23.
If i gaze upon the imperial court bridge's arc, which the magpie spread on, filled which white frost, then i know the night is almost past. I gaze out across the garden dim, Here in the deepening dark, Just like Tanabata's magpie bridge, A gleaming frosty arc.[2] Kasasagi no/Wataseru hashi ni/Oku shimo no/Shiroki wo mireba/Yo zo huke ni keru
かささぎの 渡せる橋に おく霜の 白きを見れば 夜ぞふけにける

Author[]

Ōtomo no Yakamochi

Genre[]

Winter scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Ka-sa)

7. Which Shines over Mount Mikasa[]

For The episode "Which Shines over Mount Mikasa", see Episode 33.
When I look upon the wide plain of heaven, it is the moon that rose from Mount Mikasa is the same moon that is in the land of Kasuga. Is this the very same moon I gaze on here tonight That behind Mikasa Mountain Once bathed me in its light?[2] Ama no hara/Furi sake mireba/Kasuga naru/Mikasa no yama ni/Ideshi tsuki kamo
天の原 ふりさけ見れば 春日なる 三笠の山に 出でし月かも

Author[]

Abe no Nakamaro

Genre[]

Travel

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (A-ma-no)

9. So The Flower Has Wilted[]

For The episode "So The Flower Has Wilted", see Episode 26.
For The episode "Just as My Beauty Has Faded", see Episode 22.
For The episode "My Life Passes by in Vain as I Watch the Long Rain Fall", see OVA 1.
The color of the flower has faded, while I lost myself in idle thought in this long rain. I came to this hut in Uji, The sorrows of the world to flee; "To live on the Mountain of Sorrows!" I hear them say in glee.[2] Hana no iro wa/Utsuri ni keri na/Itazura ni/Waga mi yoni furu/Nagame seshi ma ni
花の色は うつりにけりな いたづらに わが身世にふる ながめせし間に

Author[]

Ono no Komachi

Genre[]

Spring scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (Ha-na-no)

10. Exchange Hellos And Goodbyes[]

For The episode "Exchange Hellos And Goodbyes", see Episode 10.
For The episode "They All Exchange Hellos and Goodbyes at the Gates of Osaka", see Episode 32.
The stranger who has traveled far... The stranger who has traveled far,the friend with welcome smile, all sorts of men who come and go meet at this mountain stile,—they meet and rest awhile. Kore ya kono/Yuku mo kaeru mo/Wakarete wa/Shiru mo shiranu mo/Ousaka no seki
これやこの くもかえるも わかれては るもらぬも 逢坂あふさかせき

Author[]

Semimaru

Genre[]

Others

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Ko-re)

11. To Tell the People in the Capitals That I Make for the Islands[]

For The episode "To Tell the People in the Capitals That I Make for the Islands", see Episode 29.
Let the heavenly winds blows through the path among the clouds, so that we may detain these maiden messengers a while longer. Over the wide sea towards its many distant isles my ship sets sail. Will the fishing boats thronged there proclaim my journey to the world? Wata no hara/Yaso shima kakete/Kogi idenu to/Hito ni wa tsuge yo/Ama no tsuribune
わたの原 八十島かけて こぎ出でぬと 人には告げよ あまの釣舟

Author[]

Ono no Takamura

Genre[]

Travel

Karuta Card Type[]

Six Syllable Card (Wa-ta-no-ha-ra-ya)

12. The Sky is the Road Home[]

For The episode "The Sky is the Road Home", see Episode 11.
Oh stormy winds, bring up the clouds... Oh stormy winds, bring up the clouds, and paint the heavens grey; lest these fair maids of form divine should angel wings display, and fly far far away. Amatsu kaze/Kumono kayoiji/Fuki tojiyo/Otome no sugata/Shibashi todomen
あまかぜ くもかよ きとぢよ をとめの姿すがた しばしとどめむ

Author[]

Sōjō Henjō

Genre[]

Others

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (A-ma-tsu)

13. Feel Love Deepen[]

For The episode "Feel Love Deepen", see Episode 28.
Feel the love deepen over time, like the stream widening into a river as it descends Mount Tsukuba. From Tsukuba's peak Falling waters have become Mina's still, full flow: So my love has grown to be Like the river's quiet deeps. Tsukuba ne no/Mine yori otsuru/Minano-gawa/Koi zo tsumorite/Fuchi to nari nuru
筑波嶺の 峰より落つる みなの川 恋ぞつもりて 淵となりぬる

Author[]

Emperor Yōzei

Genre[]

Love

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Tsu-ku)

15. For you, I head out[]

For The episode "For You, I Head Out", see Episode 13.
For The episode "As My Sleeves Are Wet With Dew"[1], see Episode 21.
Arata, take care of her. The four of us can still win this match. - Episode 13
For you, I head out to the fields to pick spring greens while snow falls upon my sleeves. It is for your sake that I seek the fields in spring gathering green herbs, while the snowflakes kept falling on my hanging sleeves. Kimi ga tame/Haru no no ni idete/Wakana tsumu/Waga koromode ni/Yuki wa furitsutsu
君がため 春の野に出でて 若菜つむ わが衣手に 雪は降りつつ

Author[]

Empreror Kōkō (male, 830-887), The 58th emperor of Japan.

Genre[]

Spring scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Six Syllable Card (Ki-mi-ga-ta-me-ha)

16. As the Inaba Mountain Pines[]

Note that though we may be apart, if I am to hear that you pine for me as the Inaba mountain pines, I shall return to you. Tachiwakare Inaba no yama no Mine ni ouru Matsu to shi kikaba Ima kaeri kon
立ち別れ いなばの山の 峰に生ふる まつとし聞かば いま帰り来む

Author[]

Ariwara no Yukihira

Genre[]

Parting

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Ta-chi)

17. The Red That Is[]

For The episode "The Red That Is", see Episode 2.
Chihaya is a good name. Look, this is your card. - Arata Wataya, Episode 1
Even in the age of swift gods and miracles, I have never seen such burning autumn red as drenches the Tatsuta River. Even in the age of ancient gods, I have never heard that the Tatsuta River dyed its water in autumn red. Chihayaburu/Kamiyo mo kikazu/Tatsuta-gawa/Kara-kurenai ni/Mizu kukuru towa
ちはやぶる 神代も聞かず 竜田川 からくれなゐに 水くくるとは

Author[]

Ariwara no Narihira (male, 825-880), one of the Six Immortals of Poetry and the Thirty-six Poetry Immortals.
17

Ariwara no Narihira by David Bull

Genre[]

Autumn scenery

Story[]

Quoting Kanade:

I believe that this poem is about passionate love. Did you know that Nijo no Kisaki was in love with Ariwara no Narihira before she married the emperor? This is a very famous story. This poem was displayed on a folding screen in the palace. Some accounts say that Nijo no Kisaki was the one who requested the poem. I like how Narihira concealed his passion for her in a scenic rendering since he wasn't able to forget her. "Chihayaburu" is a pillow word (epithet) for gods that implies great force. "Mizu kukuru" can be interpreted as "water goes under red leaves" or "water looks like being tie-dyed," but I believe that the crimson leaves represent a love that never faded even after the separation. - Episode 6, Season 1

Quoting Kanade:

"Chihayaburu" is a spinning top standing perfectly upright. It repels everything that touches it and standing unchangingly firm, calm, and stable. -Episode 7, Season 2
How the story is so famous? After Lady Fujiwara no Takaiko married the Emperor and became Nijo no Kisaki (Empress of Nijo), the author and ex-lover Ariwara no Narihira tried to exile with her... an elopement with Empress! However his unprecedented attempt was failed and the empress was brought back to the palace. We don't know whether he was punished or not, but it is considered that this incident had held back on his promotion. This anecdote caused people to see him as anti-establishment handsome nobleman, and he became the hero of romance novels like The Tales of Ise (10th century). Even the famous The Tale of Genji (10th century) is said to be heavily influenced by it.

Notes[]

Tatsuta River is a stream in Nara prefecture, where the capital was there around his age. The name of Tatsuta came from the goddess of autumn Tatsuta-hime who is said to be a tomboy just like Chihaya. The "I have never heard" part can be interpreted as that it is unheard of for tomboyish Tatsuta to do a feminine behavior like dying.

Rhetorics[]

Pillow word (epithet): chihayaburu kami (impassionate god)

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Chi-ha)

Related Links[]

Tenji Tenno from David Bull's Hyakunin Isshu Woodblock print series
Image Photo from 4travel

18. In My Dreams, I Creep Closer to You[]

For The episode "In My Dreams, I Creep Closer to You", see Episode 38.
On the shore of Sumi's bay , the waves had gathered. At night, I shall go to you in my dream. Let none known. Sumi no e no/Kishi ni yoru nami/Yoru sae ya/Yume no kayoi ji/Hitome yo kuran
住の江の 岸による波 よるさへや 夢の通ひ路 人目よくらむ

Author[]

Fujiwara no Toshiyuki

Genre[]

Love

Karuta Card Type[]

One Syllable Card (Su)

22. Gust of Wind[]

For The episode "Gust of Wind", see Episode 42.
Gust of wind carries leaves from the trees, giving the name of storm to the mountain wind. It is by its breath That autumn's leaves of trees and grass Are wasted and driven. So they call this mountain wind The wild one, the destroyer. Fukukara ni/Aki no kusaki no/Shiorureba/Mube yamakaze o/Arashi to iuran.
吹くからに 秋の草木の しをるれば むべ山風を あらしといふらむ

Author[]

Fun'ya no Yasuhide

Genre[]

Autumn scenery

Story[]

Chihaya 's first card. Her remarkable hearing ability allows her to hear the hard 'G' (F) in Gust (Fu), allowing her to take the card. It was her first card that she won against Arata and Shinobu. 

Karuta Card Type[]

One Syllable Card (Fu)

23. When Looking at the Moon[]

I don't really understand how you can get sentimental about looking at the moon, but when I see a card that I've practiced constantly on the tatami, I get a confidence boost! - Episode 43
When looking at the moon, you will be overcome by sorrow, as you realize that the autumn belongs to.... When I look at the moon, I am overcome by the sadness of a thousand, thousand things, even though it is not autumn for me alone. Tsuki mireba/Chiji ni mono koso/Kanashi kere/Waga mi hitotsu no/Aki ni wa aranedo
月見れば ちぢに物こそ 悲しけれ わが身ひとつの 秋にはあらねど

Author[]

Oe no Chisato (male, flourished circa 889-923)

Genre[]

Autumn scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Tsu-ki)


26. The Autumn Leaves of Mount Ogura[]

For The episode "The Autumn Leaves of Mount Ogura", see Episode 16.
For The episode "Wait for the Emperor's Return", see Episode 41.
You golden leaves of Ogura, Please delay your fall; For very soon the emperor Will come this way to call.[2] Ogura-yama/Mine no momizi-ba/Kokoro araba/Ima hitotabi no/Miyuki mata nan
小倉山 峰のもみぢ葉 心あらば いまひとたびの みゆき待たなむ

Author[]

Fujiwara no Tadahira

Genre[]

Travel

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (O-gu)

31. From the Crystal White Snow[]

For The episode "From the Crystal White Snow", see Episode 3.
Which is the pale moonlight, And which the piled-up snow? Here at dawn in Yoshino, It's impossible to know.[2] Asaborake/Ariake no tsuki to/Miru made ni/Yoshino no sato ni/Fureru shirayuki
朝ぼらけ ありあけの月と 見るまでに 吉野の里に 降れる白雪

Author[]

Sakanoue no Korenori

Genre[]

Winter scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Six Syllable Long Shot Card (A-Sa-bo-ra-ke-A)

33. A Whirlwind of Flower Petals Descends[]

For The episode "A Whirlwind of Flower Petals Descends", see Episode 4.
Oh, you cherry petals, On this calm and balmy day, Why are you so restless, So keen to fly away?[2] Hisakata no/Hikari nodokeki/Haru no hi ni/Sizugogoro naku/Hana no chiru ran
ひさかたの 光のどけき 春の日に しづ心なく 花の散るらむ

Author[]

Ki no Tomonori

Genre[]

Spring scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Hi-sa)

34. None Are Left Who Know Me[]

None are left who know me. Takasago pines......can never replace them. Who is still alive, when I have grown so old, that I can call my friends?

Even Takasago's pines no longer offer comfort.

Tare o kamo/Shiru Hito ni sen/Takasago no/Matsu mo Mukashi no/Tomo nara naku ni
誰をかも 知る人にせむ 高砂の 松もむかしの 友ならなくに

Author[]

Fujiwara no Okikaze (male. early 10th century)

Genre[]

Others (Loneliness)

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Ta-re)

35. The Plum Blossoms Still Smell the Same[]

For The episode "The Plum Blossoms Still Smell the Same", see Episode 18.
With people you can never tell, Will they have changed when next we meet? But here in my dear old home at least, The plums still smell as sweet.[2] Hito wa isa/Kokoro mo shirazu/Furusato wa/Hana zo mukashi no/Ka ni nioi keru
人はいさ 心も知らず ふるさとは 花ぞ昔の 香ににほひける

Author[]

Fujiwara no Okikaze

Genre[]

Spring scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (Hi-to-wa)

37. As Though Pearls Have Been Strung Across the Autumn Plain[]

For The episode "As Though Pearls Have Been Strung Across the Autumn Plain", see Episode 15.
Shiratsuyu ni/Kaze no huki shiku/Aki no no wa/Tsuranuki tomenu/Tama zo chiri keru
白露に 風の吹きしく 秋の野は つらぬきとめぬ 玉ぞ散りける

Author[]

Fun'ya no Asayasu

Genre[]

Autumn scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Shi-ra)

40. But I Cannot Hide[]

For The episode "But I Cannot Hide", see Episode 9.
For The episode "People Would Always Ask If I Was Pining for Someone", see Episode 39.
In the Tentoku Imperial Court Poetry Contest that was held by Emperor Murakami in 960, there were two poems that were especially beautiful. As I watch the prez, those poems come to mind. Poems about a love that cannot be concealed. --Episode 23
Since I could not hide my love, people would always ask if I was pining for someone. Though I would hide it, in my face it still appears -- my fond, secret love.

And now he questions me:
"Is something bothering you?"

Shinoburedo/Iro ni ide ni keri/Waga koi wa/Mono ya omou to/Hito no tou made
忍ぶれど 色に出でにけり わが恋は 物や思ふと 人の問ふまで

Author[]

[[[wikipedia:Taira no Kanemori|Taira no Kanemori]] (male, 626-672). One of The Thirty-six Poetry Immortals.

Genre[]

Love

Story[]

The symbolic card of current Queen, Shinobu Wakamiya.

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Shi-no)

41. As My Love First Came to Realization[]

For The episode "As My Love First Came", see Episode 27.
As my love first came to realization, word had already spread. It is true i love, but the rumor of my love had gone far and wide.

When people should not have known
That I had begun to love.

Koisu cho/Waga na wa madaki/Tachi ni keri/Hito shirezu koso/Omoi someshi ka
恋すてふ わが名はまだき 立ちにけり 人知れずこそ 思ひそめしか

Author[]

Mibu no Tadami (male). Son of Mibu No Tadamine (Poem 30). One of The Thirty-six Poetry Immortals.

Genre[]

Love

Story[]

Poems 40 and 41 of the Hyakunin Isshu, by Taira no Kanemori and Mibu no Tadami respectively, share some history together. The two are presented together at the very beginning of the first book of love poems in the Shūishū* with a headnote: "From a Poetry Contest of the Tenryaku Era", which refers to the Palace Poetry Contest of 960 in twenty rounds.
According to Fujiwara no Kiyosuke's Fukuro-Zōshi, Kanemori's and Tadami's poems were pitted against each other in the last round, but the judge, Fujiwara no Saneyori, was unable to decide which was superior. Then he asked for the aid of Minamoto no Taka'akira, but he was also unable to decide. Then the case was brought to Emperor Murakami. He let his opinion be known by humming one of the verses under his breath.
Yet the one the emperor hummed wasn't one by Mibu no Tadami. There is a legend that the poet died of grief after this event but it doesn't seem to be truth, since he continued writing poetry and was probably alive and well for many years after the 960 poetry competition.
As many point out, even though this poem didn't win the contest, it has been highly prized throughout the ages, just like poem 40.
The last couple of lines (or the 7-7 part, if you prefer) of the poem is really interesting because omoi in the last last can refer to both shirezu in the second to last line and someshi in the last one. While omoi means 'think' or 'feel', omoi with shirezu means 'I though no one knew' and omoi with someshi means 'I began to love'.
The last line omoi someshi ka means 'I though I had just begun to love her' but it could also be read as omoi someshi ga, which would be 'how I wish I could start to love with no one knowing'.
In karuta, koisu cho [こひすてふ] is one of six ko-cards and one of four ko-cards that can be told from the second syllable.[3]

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Ko-i)

42. Impassioned Vows[]

Impassioned vows exchanged over many a tear shed to last until the day waves crash over Mount Suenomatsu. Chigiriki na/Katami ni sode o/Shibori tsutsu/Sue no Matsuyama/Nami kosaji to wa
契りきな かたみに袖を しぼりつつ 末の松山 波越さじとは

Author[]

Kiyohara no Motosuke

Genre[]

Love

Karuta Card Type[]

Four Syllable Card (Chi-gi-ri-ki)

46. I Do Not Know Where This Love Will Take Me[]

For The episode "I Do Not Know Where This Love Will Take Me", see Episode 44.
Rudderless crossing the Yura Straits,

The boat drifts here and there; Is this the path my love will take―― Heading I know not where?[2]

Yura no to o/Wataru funabito/Kaji o tae/Yukue mo shiranu/Koi no michi kana
由良のとを 渡る舟人 かぢを絶え ゆくへも知らぬ 恋の道かな

Author[]

Sone no Yoshitada

Genre[]

Love

Story[]

Sone no Yoshitada (no dates known), was active as a poet in the last quarter of the tenth century. There is very little else known about him. He spent his official career in the former province of Tango (now north of Kyoto Prefecture), from which came his sobriquets ‘Sotango’ and ‘Sotan’, and, in his lifetime, was regarded as an inferior poet. His style and vocabulary were considered peculiar unconventional and unappreciated. Apparently he was a prolific poet and had his own collection, which was common among the aristocracy of day. His work became celebrated for its freshness and vitality during the time of Fujiwara no Teika, who compiled the Hyakunin Isshu, and was increasingly represented in imperial anthologies.

This poem is the most straightforward of all in this anthology. It is clear without hidden meanings. There are only two controversies. The first is that the location of “Yura” isn’t know, but exists in both Kii and Tango provinces. Since Yoshitada was a secretary in the province Tango, perhaps he meant that Yura, but it’s only speculation. The second is the phrase kaji wo tae (かぢをたえ), the third line. It can either be read as kaji wo tae (to lose an oar), or kaji-o tae (the oar cord snaps). The result remains the same.

But in any case, we all know that feeling when we were young and experienced love for the first time how happy, yet lost we were. Things haven’t changed in 900 years it seems.

Trivia[]

This is the card Taichi and Nishida synchorise against Fujisaki High School during the team finals of National High School Championship in draw of luck and win the championship.

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Yu-ra)

47. But For Autumn's Coming[]

For The episode "But For Autumn's Coming", see Episode 7.
To this house surrounded by weeds, So lonely and so weary, Only autumn comes to visit,

So mellow and so dreary.[2]

Yae mugura/Shigereru yado no/Sabishiki ni/Hito koso mie ne/Aki wa kini keri
八重むぐら 茂れる宿の さびしきに 人こそ見えね 秋は来にけり

Author[]

Egyō

Genre[]

Autumn scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Ya-e)

50.[]

For you I would have given up my life. Now together, I guard it dear. Kimi ga tame/Oshikarazarishi/Inochi sae/Nagaku mo gana to/Omoi keru kana
君がため 惜しからざりし 命さへ 長くもがなと 思ひけるかな

Author[]

Fujiwara no Yoshitaka

Genre[]

Love

Karuta Card Type[]

Six Syllable Card (Ki-mi-ga-ta-me-O)

51. How Can I Tell Her[]

For The episode "How Can I Tell Her", see Episode 49.
For The episode "I Feel As Though My Body is on Fire with Ibuki Mugwort", see Episode 36.
You know nothing about these feelings of mine that burn that is on fire - Episode 49
When I must hide these burning feelings, I feel as though my body is on fire with ibuki mugwort. How can I tell her
How fierce my love for her is?
Will she understand
That the love I feel for her
Burns like Ibuki's fire plant?
Kaku to dani/Eyawa ibuki no/Sashimogusa/Sashimo shiraji na/Moyuru omoi o
かくとだに えやはいぶきの さしも草 さしも知らじな 燃ゆる思ひを

Author[]

Fujiwara no Sanekata Ason

Genre[]

Love

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Ka-ku)

53.[]

Lying all alone/through the hours of the night/Til the daylight comes:/Can you realize at all/The emptiness of that dark? Nageki tsutsu/Hitori nuru yo no/Akuru ma wa/Ika ni hisashiki/Mono to kawa shiru
嘆きつつ ひとり寝る夜の 明くる間は いかに久しき ものとかは知る

Author[]

Michitsuna no Haha

Genre[]

Love

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (Na-ge-ki)

54. My Fear is That You Will Forget[]

For The episode "My Fear is That You Will Forget", see Episode 43.
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. Wasureji no/Yukusue made wa/Katakereba/Kyo o kagiri no/Inochi to mo gana
忘れじの 行く末までは かたければ 今日を限りの 命ともがな

Author[]

Takashina no Kishi (a mother of Gido Sanshi)

Genre[]

Love

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (Wa-su-re)

55. The Sounds of the Waterfall[]

For The episode "Sounds of the Waterfall", see Episode 8.
For The episode "But Its Legacy Continues to Spread", see Episode 46.
Though the waterfall/ ceased flowing long ago/and its music is stilled/its name yet flows/and in fame it can be heard. Taki no oto wa/Taete hisashiku/Narinure do/Na koso nagarete/Nao kikoe kere
滝の音は 絶えて久しく なりぬれど 名こそ流れて なほ聞こえけれ

Author[]

Dainagon Kinto

Genre[]

Others

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Ta-ki)

57. Long Last We Meet[]

For The episode "Long Last We Meet", see Episode 47.
For The episode "The Sight of a Midnight Moon", see Episode 5.
It seems to fit Arata. Whenever I get to meet him, he has to leave right away. It sounds like a love poem, but this poem is about a girl who was her childhood friend, right? It fits perfectly. - Episode 20
Long last we meet, only for me to leave hurriedly, for I could not recognize you, like the moon hidden behind the clouds. Meeting on the path:
But I cannot clearly know
If it was he,
Because the midnight moon
In a cloud had disappeared.
Meguri aite/Mishi ya sore to mo/Wakanu ma ni/Kumo-gakure ni shi/Yowa no tsuki kana
めぐり逢ひて 見しやそれとも わかぬ間に 雲がくれにし 夜半の月かな

Author[]

Murasaki Shikibu

Genre[]

Others

Karuta Card Type[]

One Syllable Card (Me)

60. By Ōe Mountain[]

My first card... I promised myself that I would take this card today! - Episode 9
By Ōe Mountain......and I have yet to visit Amanohashidate Nor read my mother's letters. The road that goes past Ōe Mountain and Ikuno plain is so far. I have neither ever seen Ama-no-Hashidate, nor got a word from there. Ōe Yama/Ikuno no michi no/Tōkereba/Mada Fumi mo Mizu/Ama-no-Hashidate
大江山 いく野の道の 遠ければ まだふみも見ず 天の橋立

Author[]

60

Lady Koshikibu by David Bull

Koshikibu no Naishi (female, 999-1025)

Genre[]

Others

Story[]

Kana-chan 's first card. This poem suits her for not only it begins with Ōe Mountain, but for this poem's meaning. It is the blend of beautiful scenery, poetic art and noble pride of woman.
The author, Lady Koshikibu no Naishi, was the daughter of Izumi Shikibu, one of the Old Thirty-six Poetry Immortals. Inheriting her mother's poesy, Koshikibu's talent had been recognized since her youth. Some people was even jealous of her talent, suspecting that her mother might be ghost-writing for her.
One day, during when her parents were stationed in far Tango Prefecture as the officials, Koshikibu was invited to a poetry party of the Palace in Kyoto. Just before it began, the host of the party, Fujiwara no Sadayori, mocked her, asking "Has your messenger to your mother in Tango already come back? Tango is so far that I've got worried if your mother's letter (of ghostwritten poems) arrives in time."
Instead of bearing or raging, Koshikibu replied with an artful poem. Literally, it tells the longing for visiting the famous scenery of Ama no Hashidate (The Heaven's Bridge) in Tango, which is beyond Mount Oe and Ikuno plane.
The road to Mount Oe and Ikuno's plain are so very far. Thus I have not yet ever step in The Heaven's Bridge.
However, if you interpret it using rhetoric technique of Kake-kotoba(Pivot Words, phonological double-meaning), it becomes the response to Sadayori.
The road to Mount Oe, which is on the way to Tango, is so very far. Thus I have never seen The Heaven's Bridge in Tango. How could I have seen the letter that you mean?
Being ashamed by the brilliant poem, Sadayori ran away from the party despite that he was due to make a replying poem by the etiquette.
Unfortunately, she passed away at her age of 26. She left many good love poems, and it seems she later became a kind of idol among young women of that age.

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (O-o-e)

61. Now Bloom Inside the Ninefold Palace[]

For The episode "Now Bloom Inside the Ninefold Palace", see Episode 6.
Inishie no/Nara no miyako no/Yae-zakura/Kyō kokonoe ni/Nioi nuru kana
いにしへの 奈良の都の 八重桜 今日九重に にほひぬるかな

Author[]

Ise no Taifu

Genre[]

Spring scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (I-ni)

62.[]

Said night was young when the false rooster crowed, but the gates of Osaka remained shut. Yo o komete/Tori no sorane wa/Hakaru tomo/Yo ni Ōsaka no/Seki wa yurusaji
夜をこめて 鳥のそらねは はかるとも よに逢坂の 関はゆるさじ

Author[]

Sei Shōnagon

Genre[]

Others

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Yo-o)

63. After I Determined to Abandon[]

After I determined to abandon my love, my only regret is that I have no way to tell you in person. Ima wa tada/Omohi tae nan/To bakari o/Hitozutenara de/Iu yoshi mogana
いまはただ 思ひ絶えなむ とばかりを 人づてならで いふよしもがな

Author[]

Fujiwara no Michimasa (992-1054)

Genre[]

Love

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (I-ma-wa)

66. For There Is No One Else Out Here[]

For The episode "For There Is No One Else Out Here", see Episode 14.
As I said earlier, my love is fundamentally differnt from yours. - Episode 6
Would the mountain cherry blossoms return my affection for there is no one else out here. Let us two sympathize, Oh mountain cherry tree; For there is no one other than me and your blossoms. Morotomo ni/Aware to omoe/Yamazakura/Hana yori hoka ni/Shiru hito mo nashi
もろともに あはれと思へ 山桜 花よりほかに 知る人もなし

Author[]

Former Chief Abbot Gyoson (male, 1055-1135)
66

Former Chief Abbot Gyoson by David Bull

Genre[]

Others (Loneliness)

Story[]

Abbot Gyouson was born as a child of noble family in the Capital of Nara. Facing his father's death at his age of 12, he entered the priesthood and became seroious ascetic monk who underwent hard ascetic practices. One day during the practice, he stumbled across a beautiful mountain cherry tree in a deep mountain. The cherry blossoms reminded him of nostalgic memories he had experienced in his days at Capital. For being isolated old man, he asked the tree if it could yearn for him as he yearned for the cherry blossoms and its memories.
The scene of Kanade's traditional kimono clothing shop in Chihayafuru anime episode 6 was not in the original manga version. Kana-chan reciting this poem while looking at kimonos by herself is awesome rendition on adding a great flaver to the story! This poem may represent Kanade's heart; the feel of isolation and the love for traditional things, like no one other than kimonos share her distress.

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Mo-ro)

Related Links[]

Former Chief Abbot Gyoson from David Bull's Hyakunin Isshu Woodblock print series
Image Photo from Nonohana blog

68.[]

As the years pass, I will find myself longing for the sight of the midnight moon. Kokoro ni mo/Arade ukiyo ni/Nagaraeba/Koishikaru beki/Yowa no tsuki kana
心にも あらでうき世に ながらへば 恋しかるべき 夜半の月かな

Author[]

Emperor Sanjō

Genre[]

Others

Karuta Card Type[]

Four Syllable Card (Ko-ko-ro-ni)

69. To Set the Tatsuta River Ablaze[]

For The episode "To Set the Tatsuta River Ablaze", see Episode 31.
The storm.......to set the Tatsuta River ablaze. By the wind storm's blast From mimuro's mountationslopes Maples Leaves are torn which turn tatsuta river Into a rich brocade Arashi fuku/Mimuro no Yama no/Momijiba wa/Tatsuta no Kawa no/Nishiki nari keri
嵐吹く 三室の山の もみぢ葉は 竜田の川の 錦なりけり

Author[]

The Monk Noin (male, 998-1050)

Genre[]

Autumn scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (A-ra-shi-)

70.[]

When all alone

I leave my hut And gaze around, Everywhere it's the same Autumn Twilight.

Sabishisa ni/Yado wo tachi idete/Nagamureba/Izuko mo onaji/Aki no yugure
寂しさに

宿を立ち出でて ながむれば いづこも同じ 秋の夕暮れ

Author[]

Monk Ryosen Hōshi (male, ca. 990 - ca. 1060)

Genre[]

Story[]

Ryosen Hōshi aka Ryozen composed it while doing austerities in a remote hut outside the capital. He was a monk at Mt. Hiei and also served as betto (administrator) at Gionsha Shrine. He retired in Ohara, north of Kyoto. Thirty-two of his  poems are extant.

The notion of “Autumn Sunset” appears a lot in Japanese poetry, but apparently its meaning differs depending on the time and place. Ryosen Hoshi gives a more melancholy, almost Buddhist, tone implying that the world around him is declining into winter and possibly, metaphorically declining in a general Buddhist sense. However, Sei Shonagon (poem 62) also wrote about Autumn Sunset in her Pillow Book, but used it to describe crows and wild-geese flying.

Nagamu (gaze around) can also mean ‘lost in melancholy thoughts, chant or compose a poem’. Isn’t that wonderful? The mind-scope of the ancient Japanese poets went from ‘gaze out into the distance’ over ‘become lost in melancholy thoughts’ to ‘compose a poem’.

An Autumn Sunset means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but it still is significant one way or another.

Karuta Card Type[]

72. While Some Dodge the Famous Waves[]

"While some" is followed by "I deflect". I don't remember the entire poem. **Snap!** - Episode 12
While some dodge the famous waves of Takashi shore to avoid getting wet, I deflect your artful words to keep my sleeves dry. Well I know the fame of the restless waves that break on Takashi's shore. I better not let my sleeves wet by them, nor by your words. Oto ni kiku/Takashi no hama no/Adanami wa/Kakeji ya sode no/Nure mo koso sure
音にきく 高師の浜の あだ浪は かけじや袖の ぬれもこそすれ

Author[]

72 lady kii

Lady-in-Waiting Kii by David Bull

Lady-in-Waiting Yushi Naishin-no-ke no Kii (female, 11th century).

Genre[]

Love

Story[]

Quoting Kanade,

This is a poem about how a woman was able to successfully ward off a playboy's advances!
A highly artful and rhetorical poem with lot of double-meaning phrases.
Oto ni kiku= Hearing the sound of waves, hearing rumors
Takashi = The Shore of Takashi, much-talked
Kakeji = Not let something wet, Not give heart to someone
Sode no Nuremo- = wet one's sleeves by waves, wet one's sleeves by tears

Using these rhetorics, the short 31-syllable poem becomes very rich in content.

" I know the fame of your pick-up lines well like the famous waves of Takashi's Shore. They are attractive like the restless waves of the shore, right? When they visit the shore, they would be careful not to let their sleeves wet by waves. Then I too shall be careful not to let my sleeves wet by my tears." Better next time, pretty boy!


Actually, the auther, Lady-in-Waiting Kii, was 70 years old when she wrote this poem at a poetry party. The theme of the party was "Exchanging Love Poems", a kind of role-playing love game that ladies and gentlemen exchange love poems each other and then enjoy reading them.
In the poem session, Lady Kii's partner was 29 years old handsome gentleman Fujiwara no Toshitada. His poem was a passionate one;

人知れぬ 思いありその 浦風に 波のよるこそ 言はまほしけれ


To tell the truth, I'm giving my heart to you. Like sea waves break on Ariso's Shore with night breezes, I want to visit your room at nighttime more than once.
Recieving this artful and rhetorical poem, Lady Kii answered, or declined gracefully to be precise, with witty, more artful and more rhetorical poem, while sharing the same topic.
Imagine the smile of a pretty old woman and the bitter smile of a handsome young man. How cute!

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (O-to)

Related Links[]

Yushi Naishin-no Kii from David Bull's Hyakunin Isshu Woodblock print series

73. Nobody Wishes to See the Beautiful Cherry Blossoms[]

For The episode "Nobody Wishes to See the Beautiful Cherry Blossoms", see Episode 24.
For The episode "To See The Beautiful Cherry Blossoms", see Episode 48.
Takasago no/O no e no sakura/Saki ni keri/Toyama no kasumi/Tatazu mo ara nan
高砂の 尾の上の桜 咲きにけり 外山の霞 立たずもあらなむ

Author[]

Ōe no Masafusa

Genre[]

Spring scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Ta-ka)

76. The Cresting Waves Almost Look Like Clouds in the Skies[]

For The episode "The Cresting Waves Almost Look Like Clouds in the Skies", see Episode 20.
Wata no hara/Kogi idete mireba/Hisakata no/Kumoi ni magō/Oki tsu shiranami
わたの原 こぎ出でて見れば ひさかたの 雲居にまがふ 沖つ白波

Author[]

Fujiwara no Tadamichi

Genre[]

Others

Karuta Card Type[]

Six Syllable Card (Wa-ta-no-ha-ra-ko)

77. Swift Waters Parted by the Jagged Rocks[]

So Ayase must have started a Karuta club so she could see him at nationals. - Episode 10
Swift waters parted by the jagged rocks are joined at river's end. Though the stream is divided by a boulder in its swift flow, I know the twain will soon unite again. Se o Hayami/Iwa ni Sekaruru/Takigawa no/Warete mo sue ni/Awan tozo Omou
瀬をはやみ 岩にせかるる 滝川の われても末に あはむとぞ思ふ

Author[]

Emperor Sutoku (male, 1119-1164)

Genre[]

Love

Story[]

A nature poem which implicitly expresses the vow of parting lovers, who swear they will eventually meet again. As Kanade quoted it in Episode 10, this may be the theme poem of the relationship between Chihaya and Arata. It must be more than coincidence that this is Chihaya's very first card she won at her first Karuta game against Arata.
Quite ironically during Mizusawa's third year at the National High School Championship, playing against the Fujioka East High School Karuta Club for 3rd place, Chihaya's opponent is Arata. But as Chihaya's entire attention is on being a captain and leading her team she is unaware of whom she is paired against and is winning with a high lead. Reiko, who is at Nationals with Mizusawa's other members' mothers, calls Taichi who has left the club at the beginning of the year (Chihaya too leaves the club but returns in time for regionals). Taichi's entry is noted by everyone except Chihaya and Arata. The former wanting to being an excellent captain and focusing on her and her team's win, and the latter desperately trying to make Chihaya aware that they are finally playing together. Arata swipes this card. Chihaya's attention is at last drawn when Chihayafuru is called out, which is a dead card in the current game,but the first person she notices is Taichi. After she goes back to her game she realises that she was playing Arata all this time. In the end Mizusawa wins 5-0 and Arata's defeat by Chihaya shocking everyone, especially Shinobu. But Chihaya's sole attention is on Taichi.

Trivia[]

While the entire series point out that Chihaya and Arata's romantic relationship is of Star-crossed lovers, in Volume 31, Chapter 163 Chihaya and Taichi are really and truly suited to this poem.

Karuta Card Type[]

One Syllable Card (Se)

79. Moonlight, Clear and Bright[]

For The episode "Moonlight, Clear and Bright", see Episode 25.
Akikaze ni/Tanabiku kumo no/Tae ma yori/More izuru tsuki no/Kage no sayakesa
秋風に たなびく雲の 絶え間より もれ出づる月の 影のさやけさ

Author[]

Fujiwara no Akisuke

Genre[]

Autumn scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (A-ki-ka)

83. World Offers No Escape[]

For The episode "World Offers No Escape", see Episode 17.
But you're using tennis as a substitute for Karuta! That's not fair to tennis. - Episode 8
The world offers no escape. Even I hide in the mountains, only to hear the haunting cry of deer. In this world of ours, There is no way to float above pain. Even lost in thought in the depths of the mountains, I hear the deer crying. Yononaka yo/Michi koso Nakere/Omoi iru/Yama no Oku nimo/Shika zo Naku naru
世の中よ 道こそなけれ 思ひ入る 山の奥にも 鹿ぞ鳴くなる

Author[]

Fujiwara no Shunzei

Genre[]

Others (Recall)

Karuta Card Type[]

Five Syllable Card (Yo-no-na-ka-yo)

84. As the Years Pass[]

For The episode "As the Years Pass", see Episode 19.
May I live to see the day when I long for the agony I feel now...... If I should live long, then perhaps the present days may be dear to me, just as past time filled with grief comes quietly back in thought. Nagaraeba/Mata Konogoro ya/Shinobaren/Ushi to Mishi yo zo/Ima wa Koishiki
ながらへば またこのごろや しのばれむ 憂しと見し世ぞ いまは恋しき

Author[]

Fujiwara no Kiyosuke (male. 1104-1177)

Genre[]

Others

Story[]

This poem was composed by Fujiwara no Kiyosuke (1104-1177), with the title Ason, who was the second son of Fujiwara no Akisuke (poem 79). After his father’s death he became the head of the Rokujo school of poetry. He was the compiler of the ShokuShikashu and wrote treatises on poetry, like the Ogi Sho and Fukuro-zoshi. He belongs to the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets. He has ninety-six poems in imperial anthologies.

At heart, this poem is about nostalgia, how bitter things now somehow soften over time. Everyone can think of a bitter time in their life, but looking back nostalgia makes it seem sweeter than it was back then. It’s also a reminder that if we are going through a hard time now, it won’t always be that way in the future.

Shinobu has two meanings, ‘to bear, endure’ referring to the bygone days of the first two lines, or ‘to think of fondly, be nostalgic about’ referring to the following lines; it’s the hinge that connects both parts.

Some think this may have alluded to the decline of the times, and in particular the Hōgen Rebellion, mentioned also in poem 76 and poem 77. But even if that were true, it’s interesting how we tend to look back on this era with a kind of bitter-sweet nostalgia, far removed from the pain and destruction caused at the time.

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (Na-ga-ra)

86. May My Sighs Be Blamed upon the Moon[]

May my sighs be blamed upon the moon, or do my tears come from the feelings it evokes? Should I blame the moon for bringing forth this sadness, as if it pictured grief? Lifting up my troubled face, I regard it through my tears. Nageke tote/Tsuki ya wa mono o/Omowasuru/Kakochi gao naru/Waga namida kana
嘆けとて 月やは物を 思はする かこち顔なる わが涙かな

Author[]

Saigyo Hoshi (male. 1118-1190)

Genre[]

Others

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (Na-ge-ke)

87. Rain Takes Longer to Dry[]

For The episode "Rain Takes Longer to Dry", see Episode 35.
The passing shower’s

Raindrops are still drying On the yew plum pines When yet the mist starts rising On this autumn evening.

Murasame no/Tsuyu mo mada hunu/Maki no ha ni/Kiri tachi noboru/Aki no yūgure
村雨の 露もまだひぬ まきの葉に 霧立ちのぼる 秋の夕暮れ

Author[]

Jakuren Hoshi

Genre[]

Autumn scenery

Story[]

Jakuren Hoshi (1139 - 1202), with personal name Fujiwara no Sadanaga, was the son of Ajari Shunkai, brother of Shunzei (poem 83). He was adopted by Shunzei. With Teika (poem 97) and Ietaka (poem 98) he frequented the Mikohidari salon of poetry. He contributed as an editor to the Shin Kokinshu. He has 116 poems in imperial collections.
The problem with the expression ‘rising mist’ is that we can either see it as a lifting or slow disappearance of the mist, or on the contrary as a rising and increasing level of the mist.
Interestingly, the poetic verse kiri tachinoboru (霧立ち上る) or “the mist is already rising”, was coined by Jakuren and was associated with him by later poets and commentators.
Fujiwara no Teika, another member of the House of Mikohidari, didn’t praise this poem at first, and it made the “cutting floor” of the Imperial anthology that Jakuren helped compile, the Shin-Kokinshū, or in other anthologies. And yet, years later, it appears here in the Hyakunin Isshu by Fujiwara no Teika. The poem is generally viewed as a simple, straightforward descriptive poem, which is perhaps why it wasn’t as highly revered as other more subtle poems, or poems with more of a backstory.

Karuta Card Type[]

One Syllable Card (Mu)

89.[]

Nothing can be worse than living a moment longer when I cannot bear growing any weaker than I already have. Like a string of gems, Grown weak, my life will break now; For if I live on

All I do to hide me love May at last grow weak and fail

Tama no o yo/Taenaba taene/Nagaraeba/Shinoburu koto no/Yowari mo zo suru
玉の緒よ 絶えなば絶えね ながらへば 忍ぶることの 弱りもぞする

Author[]

Princess Shikishi

Genre[]

Love

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Ta-ma)

93. The world offers no change[]

The world offers no change. I pray...... If only our world--
Could be always as it is!--
How moving the sight
Of the little fishing boat
Drawn by ropes along the bank.
Yo no naka wa/Tsune ni mogamo na/Nagisa Kogu/Ama no Obune no/Tsunade Kanashi mo
世の中は 常にもがもな 渚こぐ あまの小舟の 綱手かなしも

Author[]

Kamakura no Udaijin (male, 1192-1219)

Genre[]

Parting

Karuta Card Type[]

Five Syllable Card (Yo-no-na-ka-wa)

97.As I Wait For Someone[]

It really took you so long...those words are so long overdue, Tsukue-kun.... - Chapter 173
As I wait for someone who will never come, my body burns like the seaweed drying on the shores of Matsuho. Like the salt seaweed, burning in the evening calm. On Matsuo's shore, all my being is aflame, waiting for her who does not come. Konu hito o/Matsuho no ura no/Yūnagi ni/Yaku ya moshio no/Mi mo kogare tsutsu
来ぬ人を まつほの浦の 夕なぎに 焼くや藻塩の 身もこがれつつ

Author[]

Fujiwara no Teika (male, 1192-1219)

Genre[]

Love

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Ko-nu)

98.The Only Sign of Summer[]

For The episode "The Only Sign of Summer", see Episode 37.
Kaze soyogu/Nara no ogawa no/Yūgure wa/Misogi zo natsu no/Shirushi nari keru
風そよぐ ならの小川の 夕暮れは みそぎぞ夏の しるしなりける

Author[]

Fujiwara no Ietaka

Genre[]

Summer scenery

Karuta Card Type[]

Three Syllable Card (Ka-ze-so)

100.Be As Dear Now, Those Were the Good Old Days[]

For The episode "Be As Dear Now, Those Were the Good Old Days", see Episode 30.
Momoshiki ya/Furuki nokiba no/Shinobu ni mo/Nao amari aru/Mukashi nari keri
ももしきや 古き軒端の しのぶにも なほあまりある 昔なりけり

Author[]

Emperor Juntoku

Genre[]

Others

Karuta Card Type[]

Two Syllable Card (Mo-mo)

The Crimson Sunset (from Ten Thousand Leaves)[]

For The episode "Sets These Forbidden Fields Aglow", see Episode 12.
Going over the fields of murasaki grass

that shimmer crimson,

going over the fields marked as imperial domain,

will the guardian of the fields not see you

as you wave your sleeves at me?

You came to see me at forbidden field of crimson gromwell field. Won't the groundkeeper see that you are waving your sleeves at me? Akane sasu/Murasaki-no yuki/Shimeno yuki/Nomori wa mizu ya/Kimi ga sode furu
あかねさす 紫野行き 標野行き 野守は見ずや 君が袖振る

Author[]

Nukata no Ōkimi (female, 7th century)

Genre[]

Other

Story[]

Quoting Kanade;
Crimson Sunset image
It's from Ten Thousand Leaves. The poem was written by Emperor Tenji's wife (concubine), Lady Nukata. It tells the story of when her former husband, Prince Oama, snuck into her husband's lands and waved to her. Lady Nukata was so happy to see him. But she worried that someone might see them together. The human heart never changes... -Episode 12


Actually the poem doesn't mention anything about sunset. Kana-chan lively imagined the sunset scenery from "crimson gromwell field" phrase. Gromwell is the material plant of purple dyestuff, which was very precious. Thus the gromwell field was staked out as the Emperor's property at that age. Lady Nukata and her former husband were secretly meeting at the treasured field of her present husband, who happen to be the Emperor of the nation. This must be one of the most forbidden love one can imagine!
Kana-chan said in episode 12 that the human heart never changes from ancient Japan to today. The intriguing is that the theme of this poem is also "never-changing love." By reciting this poem, she is telling that her sight of the fact that karuta cards are poetry won't change even after she learns how to play it as a game and as a sport.
Chihaya also recited this poem when she arrived at Oumi Jingu Station in Shiga Prefecture. There may be two meanings; One, she is feeling the 1400-years history of Oumi and the connection between ancient people and present her. Two, her feeling for Arata has never changed even now.
Lady Nukata is an unique historical figure. Her official record was only one line; "Lady Nukata was Load Kagami's daughter who married with Prince Oama, and had Princess Tōchi." However she left many poems that eloquently tell her dramatic life. Actually the fact that she was a concubine of Emperor Tenji is just a scholar's conjecture based on this poem and the answer poem by Prince Oama. Somehow she is popular among old culture fangirls (like Kanade), and some mangaka including Michiko Satonaka and Waki Yamato wrote her biography manga.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 mistranslation from "わがころもでにゆきはふりつつ (Snow falls upon my sleeves)"?
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Translations of the Collection of 100 poems on "Chihayafuru" Manga Bilingual Edition vol. 1
  3. http://onethousandsummers.blogspot.com/2013/07/hyakunin-isshu-poem-41-mibu-no-tadami.html
  • Kanji text Source: "Chihaya to Oboeru Hyakunin Isshu "Chihayafuru" Koshiki Waka Guide Book (ちはやと覚える百人一首 「ちはやふる」公式和歌ガイドブック)" (Hideko Anno)[1]
  • "Chihayafuru" Manga Bilingual Edition vol. 1-2 (trans. Stuart Varnam-Atkin and Yoko Toyozaki)[2][3]

External links[]

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