A Hundred Verses from Old Japan · 45 of 101

44. The Imperial Adviser Asa-tada: Chū-Nagon Asa-tada

44

The Imperial Adviser Asa-tada

CHŪ-NAGON ASA-TADA

Au koto no Taete shi nakuba Naka naka ni Hito wo mo mi wo mo Uramizaramashi.

TO fall in love with womankind Is my unlucky fate; If only it were otherwise, I might appreciate Some men, whom now I hate.

The writer of this verse was the son of Sadakata, a Minister-of-the-Right, and is said to have died in the year 961. The verse was composed at the instance of the Emperor Daigo, and is apparently written in praise of a life of single blessedness. The translation does not give the full force of the last two lines, which mean literally, 'I should not dislike both other people and myself too.' The illustration shows Asa-tada walking on the verandah outside his house, perhaps composing this verse.