(Apr 21)     Anticipation each day mounting towards the Shirakawa Barrier, but mind each day calmer clearer for continuing. Of course felt like "somehow sending word to Miyako." After all, one of the Tree Barriers, and others of poetic bent left word of feeling behind. "Autumnal winds" hummed in my ears, "the maple" stood imagined, but leafgreen branches haunting too. Against unohana white white briars, as if pushing through snow. Here, according to Kiyosuke's brush, long ago a man put on the kanmuri and donned courtly costume.

unohana
adorning the head
barrier regalia

(Sora)