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

Cherry Blossoms

桜　さくら sakura

By far the most common flower image of the spring; it eclipses the plum blossom which was favored in Chinese poetry.

GSS 5

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

N

New Shoots

若菜　わかな　wakana

A very common early spring seasonal image; these were picked and eaten as part of early spring celebrations.

GSS 5

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

P

Pine Tree

松　まつ matu

The evergreen tree, usually associated with long life or unchanging nature.

GSS 6

= Small Pines

小松　こまつ　komatu

This term appears a number of times in the MYS, but is not a common seasonal image in any Imperial collection.

GSS 5, 6

R

Rain

Spring Rain

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