Read, reflect, pray
When the east wind blows: waka
東風吹かば
Sugawara no Michizane
Poem and reading aid
東風ふかば
kochifukaba
匂ひおこせよ
nihohiokoseyo
梅の花
umeno hana
主なしとて
arujinashitote
春な忘れそ
haruna wasureso
How to use the Roman letters
Roman letters follow the kana displayed in this site’s Japanese reader; some readings are editorial additions documented on the Japanese page. These are a reading aid, not restored Sanskrit or a recording of a temple’s chanting. Historical spellings (such as wo, wi, we and ha used as a particle) are kept. Double vowels and repeated vowels mark the written kana; rhythm and pronunciation can differ by tradition.
You can simply read the meaning or sit quietly. No recitation is required. For a temple or shrine’s own recitation, follow that tradition’s published guidance.
Meaning in English
When the spring east wind blows, send your fragrance to me, plum blossoms. Though your master is gone, do not forget the spring.
Background and attribution
Dazaifu’s account presents this as Michizane’s farewell to his beloved plum tree on leaving the capital. It is linked with the flying-plum legend, in which the tree follows him to Dazaifu.
The English meaning and explanation are this site’s own rendering. The poem’s speaker, author and object of devotion are not necessarily the same.
Connected figures
Sources and edition (3)
English explanations on this page were prepared by Inori no Mori from the cited text and its Japanese explanations. They are not an official translation or a prescribed liturgy.