Hyakunin Isshu in English, translated by Yone Noguchi

What it is

This is a 1907 English translation by Yone Noguchi of the Hyakunin Isshu anthology, which collects one poem each from a hundred poets. Murasaki Shikibu's poem appears among the others, including works by emperors and famous poets of earlier centuries.

Why it matters

This translation shows how Murasaki Shikibu's poetry was presented to English readers in the early 20th century, grouped together with many of Japan's most celebrated poets. It reflects the growing interest abroad in classical Japanese poetry during this period.

• How does seeing Murasaki's poem next to so many others change how we read it?
• What choices might a translator make differently than the examples here?
• Why might this anthology have been important for introducing Japanese poetry to new readers?