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A Hundred Verses from Old Japan (The Hyakunin-isshu), tr. by William N. Porter, [1909], at sacred-texts.com


p. 49

49

THE MINISTER YOSHI-NOBU, OF PRIESTLY RANK

ŌNAKATOMI NO YOSHI-NOBU ASON

  Mikaki mori
Eji no taku hi no
  Yo wa moete
Hiru wa kie-tsutsu
Mono wo koso omoe.

MY constancy to her I love
  I never will forsake;
As surely as the Palace Guards
  Each night their watch-fire make
  And guard it till daybreak.

The author was the son of the Minister Yorimoto, and he lived during the latter part of the tenth century. The illustration shows the watchman outside the Palace tending his fire.


Next: 50. Yoshitaka Fujiwara: Fujiwara no Yoshitaka