(no subject)
I really like this waka and its hanka, a shorter poem summarizing a series of poems. Perhaps its the juxtaposition of the somewhat pretensious descriptions of the scenery and the simplicity of the author's intentions or perhaps it's the contrast between the very metaphorical waka and the nearly literal hanka. Both poems are from the Man'youshuu, an 8th century anonymous collection of courtly poetry.
The high, noble awe inspiring summit of Mt. Fuji in Suruga: From the time when heaven and earth were separated, when one looks up and afar from the yields of heaven, one does not see the shadows constantly hiding the traversing sun or even the glow of the shining moon, even the white clouds go and hesitate because they are awed by the mountain. I shall pass down and carry on the unceasing falling snow.
When I went out on Tago Bay and looked, [what I saw was] snow falling on the pure white peak of Mt. Fuji.
The high, noble awe inspiring summit of Mt. Fuji in Suruga: From the time when heaven and earth were separated, when one looks up and afar from the yields of heaven, one does not see the shadows constantly hiding the traversing sun or even the glow of the shining moon, even the white clouds go and hesitate because they are awed by the mountain. I shall pass down and carry on the unceasing falling snow.
When I went out on Tago Bay and looked, [what I saw was] snow falling on the pure white peak of Mt. Fuji.