In the Shade of Wisteria Blooms -
In the past, there was a commander of the left guards called Ariwara no Yukihira. Hearing that there was a batch of good wine at his house, some people who were at court visited, among them the middle controller of the left, Fujiwara no Masachika, who served as guest of honor for the day.
Since Yukihira was a man of sensibility, he had placed flowers in a vase. Among the flowers was a striking and unusual bough of wisteria extending more than three feet in length. Those present composed poems with that as their topic.
Just when they were finished, a brother of the host, hearing that Yukihira was entertaining guests, came to join them. They cornered him and demanded he compose a poem. Claiming he knew nothing of poetry he declined, but when they insisted, he made this:
How many they are
who take refuge in the shade
of wisteria that are
greater now than
ever before! When someone asked, " Why did you compose a poem like that? " he replied, " I was thinking of the chancellor's glorious ascent and the great successes of the Fujiwara clan. " No one could find fault with his answer.
Since Yukihira was a man of sensibility, he had placed flowers in a vase. Among the flowers was a striking and unusual bough of wisteria extending more than three feet in length. Those present composed poems with that as their topic.
Just when they were finished, a brother of the host, hearing that Yukihira was entertaining guests, came to join them. They cornered him and demanded he compose a poem. Claiming he knew nothing of poetry he declined, but when they insisted, he made this:
How many they are
who take refuge in the shade
of wisteria that are
greater now than
ever before! When someone asked, " Why did you compose a poem like that? " he replied, " I was thinking of the chancellor's glorious ascent and the great successes of the Fujiwara clan. " No one could find fault with his answer.
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