noun
preface to a poetry collection; introductory notes; captions
Refers to the prose introduction or explanatory notes preceding a poem in classical Japanese poetry collections, providing context such as the occasion, author, or inspiration. Also used for captions or brief descriptions accompanying poems in anthologies.
古今和歌集の詞書には、歌が詠まれた背景が記されている。
The preface to the Kokin Wakashū records the background of when the poem was composed.
この歌の詞書きを読
Reading the explanatory notes for this poem gives a good sense of the poet's feelings.
Compound of 詞 (ことば, 'word, poem') and 書き (かき, 'writing'), literally 'writing about the poem'. The kanji 書 is a variant used in the compound 詞書.