Session 14—Koi no uta from the Kokinshū and the Shin-Kokinshū
Topics for this session
The five books of love of the KKS (& quiz on this topic)
Book I love poems from the KKS and SKKS
Assigned readings for this session
Read with care the PDF on bSpace titled Kokinshu select love poems ENG with notes
Poems for this session
- 19 春日野の雪間を分けて生ひ出でくる草の、はつかに見えし君はも。
- 20 夕暮れは雲のはたてにものぞ思ふ。天つ空なる人を恋ふとて、
- 21 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。
Details
19 春日野の雪間を分けて生ひ出でくる草の、はつかに見えし君はも。
かすがの | の | ゆきま | を | わけ | て | おひいでくる | くさ | の | はつかに | みえ | し | きみ | は | も
Collection: KKS 0478 • 恋 (Book I)
Author: 壬生忠岑 (みぶのただみね) He was one of the compliers of the KKS though his influence peaked before that collection. As a government official his rank was not great and was lowered at one point and this, it is suggested, is part of his perspective in some of his poems.
Of his style we can read: その歌は清新で鋭い機知にあふれ、また体験的、主観的に事象を割り切るところがあって、典雅さにおいて『古今集』の他の3撰者にはやや及ばない。... 象徴ということが尊ばれるようになると、再評価されるところがあった。[日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)]
He may also have been the author of the 945 work on poetics titled 『和歌体十種』（わかていじっしゅ）. Earliest known manuscript here.
Notes
The preface reads: 春日野の祭にまかれりける時に、もの見に出でたりける女のもとに、家をたづねてつかわせりける (使わす in this case is to have your attendant deliver for you a letter to someone)
「春日野の」 is a 枕詞 and 「春日野の雪間を分けて生ひ出でくる草の、」 is a 序詞 for the rest of the poem.
Special requests for preparing this poem
- Have an answer ready for this: This poem needs some words supplied. These come after 草の and before the 、. What are they?
- Have some thoughts on this: Can you relate any of the aesthetic judgments in the "Author" section above with the poem itself?
- Have an answer ready for this: Why is this a Book I poem?
- Web search (image) 雪間
20 夕暮れは雲のはたてにものぞ思ふ。天つ空なる人を恋ふとて、
ゆふぐれ | は | くも | の | はたて | に | もの | ぞ | おもふ | あまつそら | なる | ひと | を | こふ | とて
Collection: KKS 0484 • 恋 (Book I)
Author: 詠み人知らず
Special requests for preparing this poem
- Have an answer ready for this: What are the 縁語 of this poem?
- Have an answer ready for this: What does 空なる人 suggest?
- Have an answer ready for this: Why is this a Book I poem?
21 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。
たま | の | お | よ | たえ | な | ば | たえ | ね | ながらへ | ば | しのぶる | こと | の | よわり | も | ぞ | する
Collection: SKKS 1034 • 恋 (Book I)
Author: 式子内親王 (しきしないしんのう) Her information is at Poem 02. Poems by her on these J130 session pages: 02, 09, 15, 18, 21.
Notes
The preface says: 百首歌の中に、忍ぶる恋
玉の緒 refers indirectly to life, as it is the string that holds the jewels.
Poems are covered in the order presented. We may not be able to discuss all poems listed. It is likely that I will add links and preparation requests as we go along, even in the last hour before class. There is no class participation grade so all of this work is optional, but interesting, and will enhance your ability to share in the session. Poem details are given in class and not repeated. Take excellent notes. They are the basis for the test. Our course goals in order of priority: 1) above all, appreciation of the poem as a poem, 2) understanding the components of the poems (the words in their function as grammar and their history in poems), 3) details of authors and collections. Prepare with these priorities in mind.