At Obanazawa we called on Seifu, a man whose tastes were not vulgar despite his wealth. As a frequent visitor to the capital, he understood what it meant to be a traveler, and he kept us for several days, trying in many kind ways to make us forget the hardships of the long journey.

suzushisa o            I sit at ease,
wa ga yado ni shite           taking this coolness
nemaru nari             as my lodging place.

haiide yo            Come on, show yourself!
kaiya ga shita no           Under the silkworm nursery
hiki no koe            the croak of a toad.*

mayuhaki o           In my mind's eye
omokage ni shite           a brush for someone's brows:
beni no hana            the safflower blossom.

kogai suru            The silkworm nurses -
hito wa kodai no           figures reminiscent
sugata ka na           of a distant past.*
-- Sora             --Sora