憂かりける

人を初瀬の

山おろしよ

はげしかれとは

祈らぬものを

みなもとのとしよりあそん

うかりける

ひとをはつせの

やまおろしよ

はげしかれとは

いのらぬものを

Minamoto no Toshiyori

For man inclement

Mountain blasts

Blow down over Hatsuse,

Ever so cruel like her,

Even after praying.

Hokusai

Minamoto no Toshiyori (1055 - 1129), also known as Minamoto no Shunrai, had the title Ason. He was a son of Tsunenobu (poem 71) and father of Shune (poem 85). He compiled the Gosen Wakashu and the Kinyo Wakashu. The Sanboku Kikashu was his personal poetry collection. He has more than two hunderd of his poems in the Kinyo Wakashu.

The Hatsuse temple is now called Hasedera, near Hasse; it was a favourite pilgrimage site for lovers, as mentioned in the Sumiyoshi Monogatari. Ancient map of Hatsuse-yama.

The subject of the poem mentioned in the headnote says ‘praying in vain to meet the loved one’.

Sumiyoshi scroll

Hokusai shows us pilgrims on their way to Hase. Some are taking refreshments. A fierce wind is blowing. There is no indication of a love theme in Hokusai’s drawing.

This poem can be read simply as a winter scene, and some books have it classified under ‘winter’. However, the style of this poem belongs to a more progressive kind, one could even say modern kind. Without completely disclosing the real feelings behind this poem, it floats on a description of nature that is completely in line with the feelings of the poet.