82. The Priest Dō-in: Dō-in Hoshi

Omoi-wabi Satemo inochi wa Aru mono wo Uki ni taenu wa Namida nari keri. How sad and gloomy is the world, This world of sin and woe! Ah! while I drift along Life's stream, Tossed helpless to and fro, My tears will ever flow. The Priest Dō-in was a member of the Fujiwara family. The date of this verse is not known, but it was probably written in the twelfth century. The illustration shows the priest alone in his hut, lamenting over the sorrows of humanity. Next: 83. Toshi-Nari, A Shinto Official in Attendance on the Empress Dowager: Kwō-tai-kōgū no Taiu Toshi-nari