Poem Meaning and Background
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| Depiction of the poem by the artist Hokusai |
高砂の・尾上の桜・咲きにけり
takasago no・onoe no sakura・saki ni keri
takasago no・onoe no sakura・saki ni keri
外山の霞・立たずもあらなむ
toyama no kasumi・tatazu mo aranan
~権中納言匡房（Gon Chūnagon Masafusa）
Translation
On that far mountain
On the slope below the peak
Cherries are in flower.
Oh, let the mountain mists
Not arise to hide the scene.
Meaning
The author of this poem, Ōe no Masafusa, was asked to compose this poem at a hanami (cherry blossom viewing) party at the villa of Fujiwara no Moromichi. The subject of the poem was 「遠くの山の桜をながめる」(tōku no yama no sakura o nagameru), which means "Gazing at the sakura blossoming on the far mountain". Masafusa, who was scholar of Chinese literature, composed a poem that employs elements of Chinese poetry. In the first half, he talks about the cherry blossoms on the peak of the tall, far-off mountain, while in the second half, he contrasts this image with the mists of the low mountain in the foreground. This method of contrasting opposing elements is a technique found in Chinese poetry, and the layering of these images lends the poem a sense of depth.
In the first two lines, 高砂の・尾上の桜 (Takasago no・onoe no sakura), takasago is not the name of any particular mountain, but rather it just refers to a tall mountain. 尾上 (onoe) is the very top of the mountain, ie the summit (though the English translation above says "below the peak"). 外山 (toyama) is also not the name of a specific mountain, but instead essentially means 里山 (satoyama), which refers to any area of undeveloped woodland located near a populated area. 霞 (kasumi) means a mist or haze, particularly in spring. The last line of the poem means "I do not want (the haze) to arise", with the ending なむ (nan) showing that it is the author's wish or desire.
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