To tell others thatIt is a rumor Will not do. When your own heart asks How will you respond?

~ Gosen Wakashū

Gosen Wakashū Anthology Japanese Poetry Waka Wisdom

Everyone calls him BlockheadNo one sings his praisesOr takes him to heart...That is the kind of personI want to be

~ Kenji Miyazawa

Kenji Miyazawa Compassionate Good Guys Hero Japanese Poetry Kindness Poetry

The color of the flower has faded, while I lost myself in idle thought in this long rain / 花の色は うつりにけりな いたづらに わが身世にふる ながめせし間に

~ Ono No Komachi

Ono No Komachi Japanese Poetry Poem

With people you can never tell, Will they have changed when next we meet? But here in my dear old home at least, The plums still smell as sweet. / 人はいさ 心も知らず ふるさとは 花ぞ昔の 香ににほひける

~ Fujiwara No Okikaze

Fujiwara No Okikaze Japanese Poetry Karuta Poem

Oh, you cherry petals, On this calm and balmy day, Why are you so restless, So keen to fly away? / ひさかたの 光のどけき 春の日に しづ心なく 花の散るらむ

~ Ki No Tomonori

Ki No Tomonori Japanese Poetry Karuta Poem