(June 16) After countless displays of rivers and mountains, land and sea, for eyes, the heart's inch-space now bounded toward Kisakata. From Sakata harbor northeast, crossing mountains, following shore, walking sand, some ten li, sun falling, sea wind swirling grit, gusty rain hid Mt. Chokai. Groping through darkness, maybe rain "an enchantment" anyhow and later clearing like a charm, maybe, and so squeezed into a fisherman's shanty to wait till the wet let up. Next morning, sky utterly clear, sun miraculous, dazzling, boated about Kisakata. First headed for Noin Island, prayed at what of his three years' retreat remains, then over to opposite shore and found the old cherry tree - "over whose blossoms [fishermen] row" - memorializing Saigyo-Hoshi. At water's edge an imperial tomb said to be Jingu Kogu's. Temple there known as Kammanjuji. Never heard of Empress visiting it. How come?

Sitting in temple hojo, rolling up blinds,eyes held the scene: to south Chokai supporting heaven, its image resting in water.

West the Muyamuya Barrier obstructs and east along a built-up embankment, road to Akita far off, sea to north sheltering, and just where the tide rolls in, place called Shiogoshi. From one end to the other and out again bay's about a li , superficially resembling Matsushima, but with a certain difference. Matsushima seems to smile, whereas Kisagata seems aggreived. Tinge of the sad in its isolatedness, nature here like a troubled spirit.

Kisakata (ya
in rain Seishi
silk-tree blossoms

Shiogoshi (ya
crane leg splashed
sea cool

(The Festival)
Kisakata (ya
what's to eat's
divine feast
(Sora)

fisherman's home
panels laid out
evening's cooling
(Teiji: Merchant of Mino)

(On Finding an Osprey's Nest on a Rock)
waves do not undo
the vow vowed there
osprey's nest
(Sora)