When Someone Asked Shotetsu This, He Answered Thus

In which province is Mount Yoshino,
in which province is Mount Tatsuta?

When I write about cherry blossoms, Yoshino;
when I write about autumn leaves, Tatsuta.

It doesn’t help me to remember
that one is in the province of Ise, the other in the province of Hyuga.

But although I have never taken the trouble of learning it by heart,
I have discovered that Mount Yoshino is in the province of Yamato.

When my house burns down with all my poems,
I get some back from those who have learnt them by heart.

I don’t dare to ask for the poems about who I desired.
That’s why I’ll write them again when I remember who I desired.