Practise the thinking. Keep the judgement.
人はいさ
Ki no Tsurayuki · 紀貫之
人はいさ
心もしらず
ふるさとは
花ぞ昔の
香ににほひける
Historical kana
ひとはいさ
こゝろもしらず
ふるさとは
はなぞむかしの
かににほひける
Original English translation
As for people, I cannot know their hearts; in this familiar place, the blossoms still give off their old fragrance.
History and context
Tsurayuki led the compilation of the Kokinshū and wrote the Tosa Diary. The anthology headnote links this poem to a return visit, where familiar flowers answer uncertainty about human welcome.
Imagery and wordplay
Fragrance persists while feelings may change. Furusato here is a familiar former place, not necessarily a birthplace.
Kokinshū · 古今集春上42
Japanese text and historical kana follow the linked Wikisource transcription. Classical poems can have variant spellings and wording in different anthologies. The source anthology reference identifies the version represented in this collection, not necessarily its earliest surviving text. English prose translations and reading notes are original interpretations; some wordplay permits more than one reading.