No.13 Perfected Love

Late 9th or early 10th century since Yōzei’s life spanned this period. Emperor Yōzei was the 57th emperor of Japan. He was the patriarch of the Yōzei Genji noble clan. He lived a difficult life, suffering with mental illness, and was deposed from the throne as a consequence.

Perfected Love

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 (former Emperor Yōzei)

Tsukuba-ne no  
 Mine yori otsuru  
 Minano-gawa  
 Koi zo tsumorite  
 Fuchi to nari nuru.

About this poetry

At Salty Dog Digital we’ve decided to gradually republish Clay MacCauley’s translation of Single Songs of a Hundred Poets – a collection of japanese poetry from the seventh through thirteenth centuries. Sixty four of these poems are the rewards in our game fourtex zen.

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Kibbles counter and marketer! Louise makes sure the paperwork eventually gets done.
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