karuta

This card reads:新しき年のはじめに豊の年しるすとならし雪の降れるはWhat a happy signTo have snow on New Year's Day!A harvest so fineWe shall have perchance. O mayThis glorious reign prosper aye!English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 014

This card reads:天の下すでに覆ひて降る雪の光を見れば貴くもあるかNoble is the snowThat has already the groundCovered,but doth goOn falling thick, round and roundWaltzing fast, and without sound.English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 013

This card reads:降る雪の白髪までに大君に仕へまつれば貴くもあるかHow blest shall I be,Can I serve His MajestyTill my ebonyHair grows white like the snow ISee e'en now lying so high!English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 012

This card reads:あをによし奈良の京は咲く花のにほふがごとく今さかりなりLike cherries ablaze,Exhaling their perfumes sweet,Behold, she displays Her splendour full and completeーNara, the Capital great!English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 011

This card reads:大君の命かしこみ大船の行きのまにまに宿りするかもAboard a big shipI'm sent by His Majesty,But during the trip O'ertaken by a gale highI in a casual port lie.English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 010

This card reads:み民吾生けるしるしあり天地の栄ゆる時にあへらく思へばOh, I am so fainーIt is the height of delightーIn this glorious reignTo live and enjoy the sight Of all so prosperous, bright.English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 009

This card reads:ますらをの弓上振り起し射つる矢を後見む人は語り継ぐがねWith strength in my bowNow I, a Samurai, thisArrow have shot. Lo!How powerful my might is.May after years tell of this!English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 008

This card reads:わが背子はものな思ほしことしあらば火にも水にも吾なけなくにMy lord, be at ease!Take not things too seriously.If emergenciesO'ertake us, thou shalt see meFace fire and water for thee.English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 007

This card reads:旅人の宿りせむ野に霜降らば吾が子羽ぐくめ天の鶴群Should frost on the fieldFall where the travellers restAll tired at night, shieldWith your feathers as a guestMy son, Cranes that fly abreast!English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 006

This card reads:あしひきの山にも野にもみ猟人さつ矢手挟みみだれたり見ゆHow fast in a crowdOver hill and field they go,Like a louring cloudーThey're our Sovereign's huntsmen. Lo!Arrow in hand those men go.English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 005

This card reads:をのこやも空しかるべき萬代に語り続ぐべき名は立てずしてTo be born a manIn this land an honour e'erSo great 'tis! How canI die, leaving no name rareTo be remembered for e'er.English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 004

This card reads:千萬の軍なりとも言挙げせず取りて来ぬべきをのことぞ思ふAn idle speech ne'erThou mak'st, but thou art a manWho canst beast foesーe'erSo great like clouds in the span.Indeed thou art a true man.English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 003

This card reads:やすみししわが大君の食国は大和も此処も同じとぞ念ふJust the same I feelHere as if at home I wereIn the capital.Our Sovereign rules everywhere,So this place is to me dear.English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 002

This card reads:大宮の内まできこゆ網引すと網子ととのふる海人の呼び声Still and silent standsThe Grand Villa on the shoreーBut for seiner's handsCrying the fishermen's roarIs heard, to haul fish ashore.English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro

100 Patriotic Poems 001

This card reads:大君は神にしませば天雲の雷の上にいほりせるかもA goddess is She,So on this Knoll of ThunderShe dwells with the seaOf Heaven's clouds far under;Lo! whence come peals of thunder.English translation by: Honda, Heihachiro