Category: Japan
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Not Quite Done Yet: Poem Number 68
This poem is something that touches on an important theme here on the blog, but first, let’s take a look: Japanese Romanization Translation 心にも Kokoro ni mo Though it is not what’s in my heart, あらで浮世に Arade ukiyo ni if in this world of pain ながらへば Nagaraeba I should linger, then 恋しかるべき Koishikaru beki no…
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Thanks, But No Thanks: Poem Number 67
This clever little poem shows the battle of the sexes as it existed 1,000 years ago: Japanese Romanization Translation 春の夜の Haru no yoru no With your arm as my pillow 夢ばかりなる Yume bakari naru for no more than a brief 手枕に Tamakura ni spring night’s dream, かひなく立たむ Kainaku tatan how I would regret my name…
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A Matter of Personal Honor: Poem Number 65
A poignant poem that also provides insight into culture at the time: Japanese Romanization Translation 恨みわび Uramiwabi Although there are ほさぬ袖だに Hosanu sode da ni my sleeves that never dry, あるものを Aru mono wo bitter and sad, 恋に朽ちなん Koi ni kuchinan what I really regret is 名こそ惜しけれ Na koso oshikere my name, made rotten by…
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End Of An Affair: Poem 63
This is one of the sadder poems to share, but does have an interesting historical point to share as well: Japanese Romanization Translation 今はただ Ima wa tada Now, the only thing 思ひ絶えなむ Omoi taenan I wish for is a way to say とばかりを To bakari wo to you directly 人づてならで Hitozute nara de —not through…
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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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The World Moves On: Poem 93
I was reminded of this poem recently and felt like sharing it with readers. It is one of the most poignant in the anthology, I think: Japanese Romanization Translation 世の中は Yo no naka wa If only this world つねにもがもな Tsune ni mo ga mo na could always remain the same! なぎさこぐ Nagisa kogu The sight…
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The Gossamer Years
Hi all, This somewhat different than my usual posts, but I after posting a poem by the Mother of Michitsuna (poem 53), I decided to read her diary, called the Gossamer Years, or kagerō nikki in Japanese. The Gossamer Years is a diary by the “Mother of Michitsuna”, who is never named per culture of…
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Waves Beating Against The Shore: Poem Number 48
I decided to post this one after Valentine’s Day for all those whose plans didn’t go well. You’re not alone, as we shall see. Japanese Romanization Translation 風をいたみ Kaze wo itami Waves that beat against the rocks, 岩うつ波の Iwa utsu nami no fanned by a fierce wind— おのれのみ Onore nomi it is I alone くだけて物を…
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The Cold Morning: Poem Number 52
For our final poem for Valentine’s Day, I thought this was another good choice: Japanese Romanization Translation 明けぬれば Akenureba Because it has dawned, 暮るるものとは Kururu mono to wa it will become night again— 知りながら Shiri nagara this I know, and yet, なをうらめしき Nao urameshiki ah, how hateful it is— あさぼらけかな Asaborake kana the first cold…
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Lost Without An Oar: Poem Number 46
Hello, Continuing our theme for Valentine’s Day, this poem is quite fitting and another example of a “love poem” from the 40’s section of the Hyakunin Isshu: Japanese Romanization Translation 由良のとを Yura no to wo Like a boatman, crossing わたる舟人 Wataru funabito the Strait of Yura, かぢをたえ Kaji wo tae whose oar-cord has snapped, 行く方もしらぬ…
The Hyakunin Isshu 