Sorrow Of The Frontier Guards Comments

this mournful piece, called Sorrow of the Frontier Guards, was perhaps a poem based on personal experience, or maybe just the story of a soldier bidding farewell to his home and family before going off to war..

the following is a waka composed by Yakamochi in condolence with his son-in-law, [Kusumaro] the second son of Minister of the Right, of the Fujiwara Southern House, on the death of his mother. Fifth Month 27th day. 世閒の常なきことは知るらむを心盡くすな大夫にして yö nö naka nö tune naki kötö pa siruramu wo kökörö tukusu na masurawo ni site This world of ours Does not last forever, That you know; So, do not use up all your heart And make yourself a strong man. in the MAN'YŌSHŪ - MYS XIX: 4216