Torrents o’er the rocks,
Beside heads of waterfalls,
That ne’er seem to stall;
Brake and ferns are now sprouting –
Harbingers of early spring…
(Vol.8-1418)

Shiki-no Miko (Prince Shiki) is a son of Emperor Tenchi. His six poems are listed in Man-Yoh-Shuh, and this is one of them. This is an ode to the advent of spring season.
In those days, “water” and “brake” (or bracken) were deemed the two symbols of good fortune, the latter widely adopted as family crest and coat of arms, with its spiral shapes as an indication of a spiritual power. (as per Mr. Tada)
―――
◎◎◎

● BILOG“MAN-YOH-SHUH”topに戻る