29. Mitsune Ōshi-kōchi: Ōshi-kōchi No Mitsune

Kokoro-ate ni Orabaya oramu Hatsu shimo no Oki madowaseru Shira giku no hana. IT was a white chrysanthemum I came to take away; But, which are coloured, which are white, I'm half afraid to say, So thick the frost to-day! Mitsune lived some time in the beginning of the tenth century, and was one of the compilers of Odes Ancient and Modern (the Kokinshiu). The illustration shows him with a boy in attendance, trying to make up his mind which flower he will pick.