Year
Translation
By High Priest Gyoson (1055-1135)
Together
In pity and sorrow,
Oh mountain cherry—
For besides your flowers
There is no one
| Original Japanese | Pronunciation |
| | |
| 大僧正行尊 | Daisojo Gyoson |
| | |
| もろともに | Morotomo ni |
| 哀れと思へ | Aware to omoe |
| 山桜 | Yama-zakura |
| 花より外に | Hana yori hoka ni |
| 知る人もなし | Shiru hito mo nashi |
Literal Translation
Together
Pity/sorrow/grief feeling
Mountain cherry
Flower than besides/in-addition-to/other
Know person also/there-is none [know person = friends, acquaintances]
In “morotomo,” “tomo” by itself can be read as “friend.”
Gyoson wrote this poem after wandering in the mountain and encountering a love cherry blossom. Both he and the cherry blossom were all alone, except for each other.