Posted by Matsu on November 02, 2001 at 08:52:15:
In Reply to: Thank you, John posted by Nan Hannon on October 29, 2001 at 03:17:23:
: Dear John:
: Many thanks for taking the time to give such a complete answer to my question. You've given me many leads to follow on yamabuki in both art and literature. I suspect that "scattering our money like yamabuki [blossoms] in the wind" will become a family saying.
: I'm grateful for all of the information that you share here.
: Best,
: Nan
Harusameno furukunagaramo yamabukino minohitotsudani nakukaerukana
In addition to the excellent translation and information provided by John, I might add that the poem is based on the famous story of Ota Dokan, a brave general in the 15th Century. "Furuku" in the second line means both "falling (rain)" and "the old poem".
The story is as follows; Dokan was caught in the rain shower on the way to go hunting. Fortunately he found an inn of a poor appearance and requested the loan of a mino (grass raincoat). However, the girl he met brought him a Yamabuki flower on a fan instead of a raincoat. Being angry, Dokan went back to his castle and told the story to his servant.
When the servant explained an old poem by Kaneakira Shinno "Nanaeyae hanawasakedomo yamabukino minohitotsudani nakizokanashiki (although having many petals, the double-flowered Yamabuki, to our regret, has no seed)", Dokan understood what she said and was ashamed himself. The word "mino" can apparently mean both seed and grass raincoat in Japanese.
Even now, many Japanese believe that the Yamabuki has no seed because of this story, while the single-flowered one has seed.
Regard,
Matsu