Created by Fumi, Ingrid, Jenn, Rasean, Tesia, and Michelle S.

Poems cited

Kokinshū: A Collection of Poems Ancient and Modern, Book I, Spring I, translated by Laurel Rasplica Rodd

46 From the poetry contest held at the residence of the Consort of the Kanpyō era.

ume ga ka o                      oh that I could catch

sode ni utsushite             and preserve the plums’ perfume

todometeba                     in my gathering sleeves—

haru wa sugu to mo        such a souvenir it would

atami naramashi             be    of this spring’s swift passing

Anonymous

 

48 Topic unknown

chirinu tomo                    although every petal has fallen    oh plum

ka o dani nokose             let your scent at least

ume no hana                    remain    leave us a keepsake

koishiki toki no                to cling to when you are gone

omoide ni sen

Anonymous

 

References

Blum, Haley. “Poetry: The Kokinshu”. ASIA 362A, 3 November 2020, U of British Columbia Vancouver. Lecture.

Geeraert, Amélie. “The History of Hanami: The Japanese Tradition of Cherry Blossom Viewing.” The History Of Hanami: The Japanese Tradition Of Cherry Blossom Viewing, Kokoro Media, 25 Aug. 2020, kokoro-jp.com/culture/338/.

Gerber, Matthew. “The Importance of Poetry in Japanese Heian-Era Romantic Relationships.” Ohio State University, Ohio State University, 2007, pp. 2–3, kb.osu.edu/bitstream/handle/1811/25243/jThesisFinal.pdf?sequence=1.

“Cherry Blossoms at UBC Vancouver’s Nitobe Memorial Garden, a Traditional Japanese Garden.” Nitobe Memorial Garden, The University of British Columbia, visit.ubc.ca/see-and-do/gardens-and-nature/nitobe-memorial-garden/.

“Kokin Wakashu no Heya”. Milord Club, Milord Club, 2004, http://www.milord-club.com/Kokin/uta0048.htm. Accessed 15 September 2021.

“Kokinwakashu”. Waka Stream, Waka Stream Japan. https://wakastream.jp/article/10000073ItVM. Accessed 15 September 2021.

“Nitobe Memorial Garden.” UBC Botanical Garden, The University of British Columbia, 25 Aug. 2021, botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/visit/nitobe-memorial-garden/.

Rankinen, Karoliina. “UNDER THE CHERRY TREES: The Symbolism of Cherry Blossoms during Hanami in Japan.” University of Oulu, University of Oulu, 2018, pp. 3, 64, 71, jultika.oulu.fi/files/nbnfioulu-201806142565.pdf.

Rodd, Laurel Rasplica and Mary Catherine Henkenius, trans. Kokinshū: A Collection of Poems Ancient and Modern. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1984.