a selection of poems from

String of Beads - Complete Poems of Princess Shikishi - translated by Hiroaki Sato

The book includes detailed information on the life and times of Shikishi as well as the meaning and origin of each of her poems.

Looking out, I see nowhere to place my thoughts, spring ending in the evening sky.
Nagamureba omoiyarubeki kata zo naki haru no kagiri no yugure no sora.

Autumn's end distinct in leaves of grass and tree, the moon alone in colour remains unchanged.
Kusa mo ki mo aki no sueba wa mieyuku ni tsuki koso iro wa kawarazarikere

At the peak of Mount Hakoya, immovable, still dependable for thousands of years, a pine wind blows.
Ugokinaku iku yorozuyo o tanomubeki Hakoya no Yama no mine no matsukaze

Fleeting: pillow unsettled I sleep light, vaguely lost in the path of dreams.
Hakanashi ya makura sadamenu utatane ni honokani mayou yume no kayoiji

My sleeve can change color till someone asks, as long as you trust my thoughts so deep.
Sode no iro wa hito no tou made nari mo seyo fukaki omoi o kimi shi tanomaba

Evening shower, and not even the clouds stay, summer sun aslant on the hills and cicadas' voice.
Yudachi no kumo mo tomaranu natsu no hi no katakuku yama ni higurashi no koe

Sad if one watched it deep into night: I'll put no more thought into the autumn moon near the hills.
Fukuru made nagamureba koso kanashikere omoi mo ireji aki o yo no tsuki

Winds cold, leaves are cleared from trees night by night, baring the garden to the light of the moon.
Kaze samumi konoha hareyuku uonayona ni nokuru kumanaki niwa no tsukikage

String of beads, if you must break, break: if you last longer, my endurance is sure to weaken.
Tamano'o yo taenaba taene nagaraeba shinoburu koto no yowari mo zo suru

Forgetful I grieve this evening, the months and days I've passed, I alone knowing.
Wasurete wa uchinagekaruru yube kana ware nomi shirite suguru tsukihi o

Waiting for you I do not go into my bedroom. Do not shine on its cypress door long, moon near the hills.
Kimi matsu to neya ni mo irani maki no to ni itaku fukeso yamanoha no tsuki

Now I listen with indifference, but you pretend not to know it, wind across the reeds.
Ima wa tada kokoro no hoka ni kiku mono o shirazu gao naru ogi no uwakaze

nagamureba /tsuki ha kie yuku/niwa no omo ni/ hatsukani(wa zukani) nokoru /hotaru bakarizo
as I gaze the moon dims, on the face of the garden, only a few fireflies.