All 100 Hyakunin Isshu poems

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

akinotano karionoiono tomaoarami wagakoromodewa tsuyuninuretsutsu

Coarse the rush-mat roof Sheltering the harvest-hut Of the autumn rice-field;— And my sleeves are growing wet With the moisture dripping through.

Tenji Tennō

Kimariji: a-ki-no (3 syllables)

春過ぎて　夏来にけらし　白妙の 衣ほすてふ　天の香具山

harusugite natsukinikerashi shirotaeno koromohosuchō amanokaguyama

Spring, it seems, has passed, And the summer come again; For the silk-white robes, So 'tis said, are spread to dry On the "Mount of Heaven's Perfume."

Jitō Tennō

Kimariji: ha-ru-su (3 syllables)

あしびきの　山鳥の尾の　しだり尾の ながながし夜を　ひとりかも寝む

ashibikino yamadorinoono shidariono naganagashiyoo hitorikamonen

Ah! the foot-drawn trail Of the mountain-pheasant's tail Drooped like down-curved branch!— Through this long, long-dragging night Must I keep my couch alone?

Kakinomoto no Hitomaro

Kimariji: a-shi (2 syllables)

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

tagonourani uchiidetemireba shirotaeno fujinotakaneni yukiwafuritsutsu

When to Tago's coast I my way have ta'en, and see Perfect whiteness laid On Mount Fuji's lofty peak By the drift of falling snow.

Yamabe no Akahito

Kimariji: ta-go (2 syllables)

奥山に　紅葉踏み分け　鳴く鹿の 声聞く時ぞ　秋は悲しき

okuyamani momijifumiwake nakushikano koekikutokizo akiwakanashiki

In the mountain depths, Treading through the crimson leaves, Cries the wandering stag. When I hear the lonely cry, Sad,—how sad—the autumn is!

Sarumaru Dayū

Kimariji: o-ku (2 syllables)

かささぎの　渡せる橋に　置く霜の 白きを見れば　夜ぞ更けにける

kasasagino wataseruhashini okushimono shirokiomireba yozofukenikeru

If the "Magpie Bridge,"— Bridge by flight of magpies spanned,— White with frost I see:— With a deep-laid frost made white:— Late, I know, has grown the night.

Chūnagon Yakamochi

Kimariji: ka-sa (2 syllables)

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

amanohara furisakemireba kasuganaru mikasanoyamani ideshitsukikamo

When I look abroad O'er the wide-stretched "Plain of Heaven," Is the moon the same That on Mount Mikasa rose, In the land of Kasuga?

Abe no Nakamaro

Kimariji: a-ma-no (3 syllables)

わが庵は　都のたつみ　しかぞ住む 世をうぢ山と　人はいふなり

wagaiowa miyakonotatsumi shikazosumu yooujiyamato hitowaiunari

Lowly hut is mine South-east from the capital:— Thus I choose to dwell;— And the world in which I live Men have named a "Mount of Gloom."

Kisen Hōshi

Kimariji: wa-ga-i (3 syllables)

花の色は　うつりにけりな　いたづらに わが身世にふる　ながめせしまに

hananoirowa utsurinikerina itazurani wagamiyonifuru nagameseshimani

Color of the flower Has already passed away While on trivial things Vainly I have set my gaze, In my journey through the world.

Ono no Komachi

Kimariji: ha-na-no (3 syllables)

これやこの　行くも帰るも　別れては 知るも知らぬも　逢坂の関

koreyakono yukumokaerumo wakaretewa shirumoshiranumo ōsakanoseki

Truly, this is where Travellers who go or come Over parting ways,— Friends or strangers,—all must meet; 'Tis the gate of "Meeting Hill."

Semimaru

Kimariji: ko-re (2 syllables)

わたの原　八十島かけて　漕ぎ出でぬと 人には告げよ　あまの釣舟

watanohara yasoshimakakete kogiidenuto hitoniwatsugeyo amanotsuribune

O'er the wide, wide sea, Towards its many distant isles, Rowing I set forth. This, to all the world proclaim, O ye boats of fisher-folk!

Sangi Takamura

Kimariji: wa-ta-no-ha-ra-ya (6 syllables)

天つ風　雲の通ひ路　吹きとぢよ をとめの姿　しばしとどめむ

amatsukaze kumonokayoiji fukitojiyo otomenosugata shibashitodomen

O ye Winds of Heaven! In the paths among the clouds Blow, and close the ways, That we may these virgin forms Yet a little while detain.

Sōjō Henjō

Kimariji: a-ma-tsu (3 syllables)

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

tsukubaneno mineyoriotsuru minanogawa koizotsumorite fuchitonarinuru

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.

Yōzei-in

Kimariji: tsu-ku (2 syllables)

陸奥の　しのぶもぢずり　誰ゆゑに 乱れそめにし　我ならなくに

michinokuno shinobumojizuri tareyueni midaresomenishi warenaranakuni

Michinoku print Of shinobu's tangled leaves! For whose sake have I, Like confused begun to be? Only yours! I can not change!

Kawara no Sadaijin

Kimariji: mi-chi (2 syllables)

君がため　春の野に出でて　若菜摘む わが衣手に　雪は降りつつ

kimigatame harunononiidete wakanatsumu wagakoromodeni yukiwafuritsutsu

It is for thy sake That I seek the fields in spring, Gathering green herbs, While my garment's hanging sleeves Are with falling snow beflecked.

Kōkō Tennō

Kimariji: ki-mi-ga-ta-me-ha (6 syllables)

立ち別れ　いなばの山の　峰に生ふる まつとし聞かば　今帰り来む

tachiwakare inabanoyamano mineniouru matsutoshikikaba imakaerikon

Though we parted be, If on Mount Inaba's peak I should hear the sound Of the pine-trees growing there, Back at once I'll make my way.

Chūnagon Yukihira

Kimariji: ta-chi (2 syllables)

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

chihayaburu kamiyomokikazu tatsutagawa karakurenaini mizukukurutowa

I have never heard That, e'en when the gods held sway In the ancient days, E'er was water bound with red Such as here in Tatta's stream.

Ariwara no Narihira Ason

Kimariji: chi-ha (2 syllables)

住の江の　岸に寄る波　よるさへや 夢の通ひ路　人目よくらむ

suminoeno kishiniyorunami yorusaeya yumenokayoiji hitomeyokuran

Lo the gathered waves On the shores of Sumi's bay! E'en in gathered night, When in dreams I go to thee, I must shun the eyes of men.

Fujiwara no Toshiyuki Ason

Kimariji: su (1 syllable)

難波潟　短き葦の　ふしの間も 逢はでこの世を　過ぐしてよとや

naniwagata mijikakiashino fushinomamo awadekonoyoo sugushiteyotoya

Even for a space, Short as joint of tiny reed From Naniwa's marsh, We must never meet again In this life? This, do you ask?

Ise

Kimariji: na-ni-wa-ga (4 syllables)

わびぬれば　今はた同じ　難波なる みをつくしても　逢はむとぞ思ふ

wabinureba imahataonaji naniwanaru miotsukushitemo awantozoomou

Now, in dire distress, It is all the same to me! So, then, let us meet Even though it costs my life In the Bay of Naniwa.

Motoyoshi Shinnō

Kimariji: wa-bi (2 syllables)

今来むと　言ひしばかりに　長月の 有明の月を　待ち出でつるかな

imakonto iishibakarini nagatsukino ariakenotsukio machiidetsurukana

Just because she said, "In a moment I will come," I've awaited her E'en until the moon of dawn, In the long month, hath appeared.

Sosei Hōshi

Kimariji: i-ma-ko (3 syllables)

吹くからに　秋の草木の　しをるれば むべ山風を　嵐といふらむ

fukukarani akinokusakino shiorureba mubeyamakazeo arashitoiuran

Since 'tis by its breath Autumn's leaves of grass and trees Broken are and waste, Men may to the mountain-wind Fitly give the name, "The Wild."

Fun'ya no Yasuhide

Kimariji: fu (1 syllable)

月見れば　千々に物こそ　悲しけれ わが身ひとつの　秋にはあらねど

tsukimireba chijinimonokoso kanashikere wagamihitotsuno akiniwaaranedo

Gaze I at the moon, Myriad things arise in thought, And my thoughts are sad;— Yet, 'tis not for me alone, That the autumn time has come.

Ōe no Chisato

Kimariji: tsu-ki (2 syllables)

このたびは　幣も取りあへず　手向山 紅葉の錦　神のまにまに

konotabiwa nusamotoriaezu tamukeyama momijinonishiki kaminomanimani

At the present time, Since no offering I could bring, Lo, Mount Tamuke! Here are brocades of red leaves, At the pleasure of the god.

Kanke

Kimariji: ko-no (2 syllables)

名にし負はば　逢坂山の　さねかづら 人に知られで　くるよしもがな

nanishiowaba ōsakayamano sanekazura hitonishirarede kuruyoshimogana

If thy name be true, Trailing vine of "Meeting Hill," Is there not some way, Whereby, without ken of men, I can draw thee to my side?

Sanjō no Udaijin

Kimariji: na-ni-shi (3 syllables)

小倉山　峰のもみぢ葉　心あらば 今ひとたびの　みゆき待たなむ

ogurayama minenomomijiba kokoroaraba imahitotabino miyukimatanan

If the maple leaves On the ridge of Ogura Have the gift of mind, They will longingly await One more august pilgrimage.

Teishin Kō

Kimariji: o-gu (2 syllables)

みかの原　わきて流るる　泉川 いつ見きとてか　恋しかるらむ

mikanohara wakitenagaruru izumigawa itsumikitoteka koishikaruran

Over Mika's plain, Gushing forth and flowing free, Is Izumi's stream. I know not if e'er we met: Why, then, do I long for her?

Chūnagon Kanesuke

Kimariji: mi-ka-no (3 syllables)

山里は　冬ぞ寂しさ　まさりける 人目も草も　かれぬと思へば

yamazatowa fuyuzosabishisa masarikeru hitomemokusamo karenutoomoeba

Winter loneliness In a mountain hamlet grows Only deeper, when Guests are gone, and leaves and grass Withered are;—so runs my thought.

Minamoto no Muneyuki Ason

Kimariji: ya-ma-za (3 syllables)

心あてに　折らばや折らむ　初霜の 置きまどはせる　白菊の花

kokoroateni orabayaoran hatsushimono okimadowaseru shiragikunohana

If it were my wish White chrysanthemum to cull;— Puzzled by the frost Of the early autumn time, I perchance might pluck the flower.

Ōshikōchi no Mitsune

Kimariji: ko-ko-ro-a (4 syllables)

有明の　つれなく見えし　別れより 暁ばかり　憂きものはなし

ariakeno tsurenakumieshi wakareyori akatsukibakari ukimonowanashi

Like the morning moon, Cold, unpitying was my love. Since that parting hour, Nothing I dislike so much As the breaking light of day.

Mibu no Tadamine

Kimariji: a-ri-a (3 syllables)

朝ぼらけ　有明の月と　見るまでに 吉野の里に　降れる白雪

asaborake ariakenotsukito mirumadeni yoshinonosatoni furerushirayuki

At the break of day, Just as though the morning moon Lightened the dim scene, Yoshino's fair hamlet lay In a haze of falling snow.

Sakanoue no Korenori

Kimariji: a-sa-bo-ra-ke-a (6 syllables)

山川に　風のかけたる　しがらみは 流れもあへぬ　紅葉なりけり

yamagawani kazenokaketaru shigaramiwa nagaremoaenu momijinarikeri

In a mountain stream, Builded by the busy wind, Is a wattled-barrier drawn. Yet it is but maple leaves Powerless to flow away.

Harumichi no Tsuraki

Kimariji: ya-ma-ga (3 syllables)

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

hisakatano hikarinodokeki harunohini shizugokoronaku hananochiruran

In the cheerful light Of the ever-shining Sun, In the days of spring;— Why, with ceaseless, restless haste Falls the cherry's new-blown bloom?

Ki no Tomonori

Kimariji: hi-sa (2 syllables)

誰をかも　知る人にせむ　高砂の 松も昔の　友ならなくに

tareokamo shiruhitonisen takasagono matsumomukashino tomonaranakuni

Whom then are there now, In my age so far advanced, I can hold as friends? Even Takasago's pines Are no friends of former days.

Fujiwara no Okikaze

Kimariji: ta-re (2 syllables)

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

hitowaisa kokoromoshirazu furusatowa hanazomukashino kaninioikeru

No! no! As for man, How his heart is none can tell. But the plum's sweet flower In my birthplace, as of yore, Still emits the same perfume.

Ki no Tsurayuki

Kimariji: hi-to-wa (3 syllables)

夏の夜は　まだ宵ながら　明けぬるを 雲のいづこに　月宿るらむ

natsunoyowa madayoinagara akenuruo kumonoizukoni tsukiyadoruran

In the summer night, While the evening still seems here, Lo! the dawn has come. In what region of the clouds Has the wandering moon found place?

Kiyohara no Fukayabu

Kimariji: na-tsu (2 syllables)

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

shiratsuyuni kazenofukishiku akinonowa tsuranukitomenu tamazochirikeru

In the autumn fields, When the heedless wind blows by O'er the pure-white dew, How the myriad, unstrung gems Everywhere are scattered round!

Fun'ya no Asayasu

Kimariji: shi-ra (2 syllables)

忘らるる　身をば思はず　誓ひてし 人の命の　惜しくもあるかな

wasuraruru miobaomowazu chikaiteshi hitonoinochino oshikumoarukana

Though forgotten now, For myself I do not care. He, by oath, was pledged;— And his life, who is forsworn, That is, ah! so pitiful.

Ukon

Kimariji: wa-su-ra (3 syllables)

浅茅生の　小野の篠原　しのぶれど あまりてなどか　人の恋しき

asajūno ononoshinohara shinoburedo amaritenadoka hitonokoishiki

Bamboo-growing plain, With a small-field bearing reeds! Though I bear my lot, Why is it too much to bear?— Why do I still love her so?

Sangi Hitoshi

Kimariji: a-sa-ji (3 syllables)

しのぶれど　色に出でにけり　わが恋は 物や思ふと　人の問ふまで

shinoburedo ironiidenikeri wagakoiwa monoyaomouto hitonotoumade

Though I would conceal, In my face it yet appears,— My fond, secret love:— So much that he asks of me, "Does not something trouble you?"

Taira no Kanemori

Kimariji: shi-no (2 syllables)

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

koisuchō waganawamadaki tachinikeri hitoshirezukoso omoisomeshika

Though, indeed, I love; Yet, the rumour of my love Had gone far and wide, When no man, ere then, could know That I had begun to love.

Mibu no Tadami

Kimariji: ko-i (2 syllables)

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

chigirikina kataminisodeo shiboritsutsu suenomatsuyama namikosajitowa

Have we not been pledged By the wringing of our sleeves,— Each for each in turn,— That o'er Sue's Mount of Pines Ocean's waves shall never pass?

Kiyohara no Motosuke

Kimariji: chi-gi-ri-ki (4 syllables)

逢ひ見ての　のちの心に　くらぶれば 昔はものを　思はざりけり

aimiteno nochinokokoroni kurabureba mukashiwamonoo omowazarikeri

Having met my love, Afterwards my passion was, When I measured it With the feeling of the past, As, if then, I had not loved.

Gon-chūnagon Atsutada

Kimariji: a-i (2 syllables)

逢ふことの　絶えてしなくば　なかなかに 人をも身をも　恨みざらまし

ōkotono taeteshinakuba nakanakani hitoomomiomo uramizaramashi

If a trysting time There should never be at all, I should not complain For myself (oft left forlorn), Or of her (in heartless mood).

Chūnagon Asatada

Kimariji: ō-ko (3 syllables)

あはれとも　いふべき人は　思ほえで 身のいたづらに　なりぬべきかな

awaretomo iubekihitowa omooede minoitazurani narinubekikana

Sure that there is none Who will speak a pitying word, I shall pass away. Ah! my death shall only be My own folly's (fitting end).

Kentoku Kō

Kimariji: a-wa-re (3 syllables)

由良の門を　渡る舟人　かぢを絶え ゆくへも知らぬ　恋の道かな

yuranotoo watarufunabito kajiotae yukuemoshiranu koinomichikana

Like a mariner Sailing over Yura's strait With his rudder gone,— Whither, o'er the deep of love, Lies the goal, I do not know.

Sone no Yoshitada

Kimariji: yu-ra (2 syllables)

八重むぐら　しげれる宿の　さびしきに 人こそ見えね　秋は来にけり

yaemugura shigereruyadono sabishikini hitokosomiene akiwakinikeri

To the humble cot, Overgrown with thick-leaved vines In its loneliness, Comes the dreary autumn time;— And no human form is seen.

Egyō Hōshi

Kimariji: ya-e (2 syllables)

風をいたみ　岩打つ波の　おのれのみ くだけて物を　思ふころかな

kazeoitami iwautsunamino onorenomi kudaketemonoo omoukorokana

Like the broken waves, Dashed by fierce winds on the rocks, I, alas! am crushed, When I (wildly) think of her, (And her heartlessness to me).

Minamoto no Shigeyuki

Kimariji: ka-ze-o (3 syllables)

みかきもり　衛士のたく火の　夜は燃え 昼は消えつつ　物をこそ思へ

mikakimori ejinotakuhino yoruwamoe hiruwakietsutsu monookosoomoe

Like the warders' fires At the Imperial gateway kept,— Burning through the night, Through the day in ashes dulled,— Is the love that fills my thoughts.

Ōnakatomi no Yoshinobu Ason

Kimariji: mi-ka-ki (3 syllables)

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

kimigatame oshikarazarishi inochisae nagakumoganato omoikerukana

For thy precious sake, Once my (eager) life itself Was not dear to me. But 'tis now my heart's desire It may long, long years endure.

Fujiwara no Yoshitaka

Kimariji: ki-mi-ga-ta-me-o (6 syllables)