34. Oki-kaze Fujiwara: Fujiwara No Oki-kaze

Tare wo ka mo Shiru hito nisemu Takasago no Matsu mo mukashi no Tomo nara-naku ni. GONE are my old familiar friends, The men I used to know; Yet still on Takasago beach The same old pine trees-grow, That I knew long ago. Oki-kaze, the son of Michinari, was an official in the Province of Sagami in the year 911; the date of his death is unknown, but he is mentioned as being alive as late as the year 914. Takasago, which is mentioned again in verse No. 73, is a seaside place in the Province of Harima, famous for its pine trees; the pine tree is one of the recognized emblems of long life in Japan, because it is believed that after a thousand years its sap turns to amber.