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68. The Retired Emperor Sanjō: Sanjō In, read aloud

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A Hundred Verses from Old Japan · 69 of 101

68. The Retired Emperor Sanjō: Sanjō In

68

THE RETIRED EMPEROR SANJŌ

SANJŌ IN

Kokoro ni mo Arade uki yo ni Nagaraeba Koishikarubeki Yowa no tsuki kana.

IF in this troubled world of ours I still must linger on, My only friend shall be the moon, Which on my sadness shone, When other friends were gone.

The Emperor Sanjō, who reigned (A.D. 1012-1015) was the son of the Emperor Reisei; he fell into ill health, his palace was burnt down twice, and he was forced to abdicate by Michinaga Fujiwara (see verse No. 59)