Hyakunin Isshu #35, "Indeed, the hearts of men cannot be known"

Ki no Tsurayuki compiled one of Japan’s great classical poetry anthology, the Kokinshu, and contributed about 10% of the poems to the volume. The plum is a symbol of fondness and remembrance of the past. Although not directly written in the poem (just “flower” is written), the introduction in the Kokinshu makes it clear that it’s referring to plum blossoms and was written after visiting a friend after a long absence.

My Translation

Indeed, the hearts of men

Cannot be known—

But I can smell the fragrance

Of blossoms long ago

From my native town

Original Japanese	Pronunciation

紀貫之	Ki no Tsurayuki

人はいさ	Hito wa isa
心も知らず	Kokoro mo shirazu
ふるさとは	Furusato wa
花ぞむかしの	Hana zo mukashi no
香に匂ひける	Ka ni nioi keru