expression, noun
the art of classical Japanese poetry
A poetic term referring to the tradition of waka (classical Japanese poetry), often used in literary or historical contexts.
敷島の道は、古来より多くの歌人によって受け継がれてきた。
The art of classical Japanese poetry has been passed down by many poets since ancient times.
和歌 is the general term for classical Japanese poetry, while 敷島の道 is a more poetic, elevated expression for the tradition itself.
敷島 (Shikishima) is an old poetic name for Japan, and 道 means 'way' or 'path', so the phrase literally means 'the way of Shikishima', i.e., the path of Japanese poetry.