The contest was held in the Shishiden Hall. Princess Shirataki was called upon
first to compose a poem. She wrote:
Should the rice plants become desiccated
From unending drought in Yamada
What will you depend upon for your sustenance?
To which Kyusuke replied in poetry, making a play on the Princess's name,
"Shirataki," which means "white waterfall":
Should drought wither the rice plants in Yamada
I pray that the waters of Shirataki
Will quench the thirst in my heart.
Being deeply moved, the Emperor and all those present were left speechless, only their
sighs of admiration could be heard. |