Index of Words

This is not a list of all words that appear in the poems, but words that have some particular significance -- words associated with specific seasons, words that have a common metaphorical meaning, etc.

C

Clouds

雲　くも kumo

GSS 4

F

Flowers

花　はな　hana

Although there are many specific flowers in Heian poetry, the general term "flowers" is used as well. At times this indicates a specific flower by the context of the poem, while other times the reference may be more general.

GSS 2

O

Ogi

荻　をぎ wogi

The ogi' (Miscanthus sacchariflorus) is also called the Amur silvergrass. It is a tall grass with a silky, plume-like flower. It generally blooms in the fall. The plant is not common in Heian poetry and seems not to have any particular seasonal association.

GSS 3

R

Rain

Spring Rains

春雨　はるさめ harusame

GSS 4

S

Snow

雪　ゆき　yuki

Snow is of course a winter image, but it is also used in early spring poems. In the old lunar calendar, spring began in what is now February, so spring snow was quite common. It most frequently occurs in spring poems when the poet confuses it for white plum blossoms, or when the poet wants to emphasize that the scenery does not match the calendar.

Early spring snow: GSS 1, 2

Start of spring

立春 (risshun) is the beginning of spring on the calendar. Usually in Heian poetry, this logical beginning defined by the calendar is contrasted by the cold weather, snow, or other features of winter that still linger.

GSS 1, 2