Hell
Such misery
What can I do with this mind of mine
Surely I deserve punishment for the sins I have committed

Jigoku-e, the hell scroll, was based on the philosophy of the six worlds of reincarnation which gained popularity during a time of frequent wars and rebellions.
According to this philosophy, all humans were reincarnated into the world of hell, starvation, animals, demons, humans, or heaven, according to the actions in their past lives.
The Jigoku-e showed the grotesque and miserable state of people who had fallen to hell. Saigyo, already an old man, was greatly affected by these pictures and left a series of 27 poems.

To Mutsu again

On the way to Mutsu, Saigyo boards a crowded boat to cross the river Tenryu. One of the warriors on the boat suddenly whips Saigyo between his brows complaining that the boat was too crowded.
With blood gushing from his forehead, Saigyo smiles and deboards, and to his saddened companions he says, "Living the way of the Buddhist monk means to endure any hardships that may occur."

Mt. Fuji

Blowing in the wind
smoke of Mt. Fuji disappears in the air
my thoughts are nowhere to be seen

This trip to Mutsu became the last trip of his life. It is said that the purpose of the trip was to ask the Fujiwara family in northern Japan for a donation to re-erect the Todaiji temple.
He meets with the Shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo, along the way.

A peaceful death among cherry blossoms

If I may
I wish to die under the cherry blossoms in spring
just around the full moon in April

Saigyo chants quietly. Strings of five colors stretch from a statue of the Amida Buddha into his hands. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in the garden.
It was day 16 of the second lunar month of the year 1190. Saigyo was 73 years old. It is said that he died in the Hirokawa temple in Kawachi in central Japan.
The actualization of his wish to die peacefully among blooming cherry blossoms deeply moved those who knew him -- among them many poets. His life story immediately became a legend and inspired the creation of many stories, including Saigyo monogatari and the Senshu-sho.

Hana