Today, we start with a poem on the topic of Tanabata, a Chinese festival the Japanese have made their own. Held on the 7th day of the Seventh Month, it commemorated the meeting of two celestial lovers, the Herd Boy and the Weaver Maid, represented by the stars Altair and Vega, who could meet on but one night of the year. Tanabata was to become a popular source for poetic composition, so we'll have some more later in the year.

A poem on Tanabata, with tanka.

pisakata no ama no kapara ni kami tu se ni tamapasi watasi simo tu se ni pune ukesuwe ame purite kaze pukazu to mo kaze pukite ame purazu to mo mo nurasazu yamazu kimase to tamapasi watasu

On the eternal Course of heaven's river, Over the upper shoals Spans the bridge of jewels; By the downstream shallows A boat floats ready; When rain falls Without a breath of wind And wind blows Without a drop of rain, "Not wetting your skirt, Don't wait, come to me!" I cross the bridge of jewels.

MYS IX: 1764