Category: Buddhism
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Lamentations: Poem Number 86
Another Autumn moon poem, but with an interesting twist: Japanese Romanization Translation なげけとて Nageke tote “Lament!” does it say? 月やは物を Tsuki ya wa mono wo Is it the moon that makes me 思はする Omowasuru dwell on things? —No, and yet, かこちがほなる Kakochi gao naru look at the tears flowing down わがなみだかな Waga nami dakana my […]
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In Memory Only: Poem 55
Another poem on the transience of life: Japanese Romanization Translation 滝の音は Taki no oto wa Although the sound of 絶えて久しく Taete hisashiku the waterfull has ceased, なりぬれど Narinuredo and that long ago, 名こそ流れて Na koso nagarete its name, indeed, has carried on なほ聞えけれ Nao kikoe kere and is still heard! Translation by Dr Joshua Mostow […]
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Rejection: Poem Number 21
No one likes getting rejected. Even back in classical Japan: Japanese Romanization Translation 今来むと Ima kon to It was only because you said いひしばかりに Iishi bakari ni you would come right away 長月の Nagatsuki no that I have waited 有明の月を Ariake no tsuki wo these long months, till even 待ち出でつるかな Machi idetsuru ka na the […]
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Compassion: Poem Number 95
Since today is the Buddhist holiday of Bodhi Day, the Enlightenment of the Buddha, I felt this poem would be very suitable: Japanese Romanization Translation おほけなく Ōkenaku Inadequate, but うき世の民に Ukiyo no tami ni they must shelter the folk おほふかな Ōu kana of this wretched world— わがたつそまに Waga tatsu soma ni my ink-black sleeves, having […]
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Autumn Sunset: Poem Number 70
My favorite poem related to fall in the Hyakunin Isshu is this one: Japanese Romanization Translation 寂しさに Sabishisa ni When, from loneliness 宿を立出て Yado wo tachi idete I stand up and leave my hut ながむれば Nagamureba and look distractedly about: いづこもおなじ Izuko mo onaji everywhere it is the same 秋の夕暮 Aki no yugure evening in […]
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Meeting and Parting: Poem Number 10
This poem is a nice reminder that “traffic” and “commuting” are two things that haven’t really changed much in 1,000 years: Japanese Romanization Translation これやこの Kore ya kono This it is! That 行くも帰るも Yuku mo kaeru mo going, too, and coming too, 別れては Wakarete wa continually separating, 知るも知らぬも Shiru mo shiranu mo those known and […]
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Contentment: Poem Number 8
An early poem by an obscure and mysterious figure: Japanese Romanization Translation わが庵は Waga io wa My hut is to 都のたつみ Miyako no tatsumi the capital’s southeast しかぞすむ Shika zo sumu and thus I live. But 世をうぢ山と Yo wo ujiyama to people call it “Uji, hill 人はいふなり hito wa iu nari of one weary of […]
The Hyakunin Isshu 