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Where to Purchase Hyakunin Isshu “Karuta” Cards
Edit: Revamped this page in January 2023 with a lot more information, updated Google Maps links and so on. One of the best ways to appreciate and celebrate the Hyakunin Isshu anthology (besides reading and reciting the poetry) is to play the traditional card game called karuta. I’ve written about it here, here and here…
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Waves and Clouds: Poem Number 76
This is a kind of continuation of the last poem, and is one of the most vivid in the Hyakunin Isshu: Japanese Romanization Translation わたの原 Wata no hara As I row out into こぎ出でて見れば Kogi idete mireba the wide-sea plain and look 久方の Hisakata no all around me— 雲井にまよふ Kumoi ni mayou the white waves…
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The Autumn Moon: Poem Number 79
Because this is the Harvest Moon, I felt this poem was perfect for the occasion: Japanese Romanization Translation 秋風に Akikaze ni From between the breaks たなびく雲の Tanabiku kumo no in the clouds that trail たえまより Taema yori on the autumn wind もれ出づる月の More izuru leaks through the moon- かげのさやけさ Kage no sayakesa light’s clear brightness!…
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The Home Stretch!
Hi Everyone, I have been actively updating the blog recently, and I realized that I’ve reached the 85% mark! That means there are about 15 poems left in the Hyakunin Isshu to post. I didn’t realize how far we’ve come this year. I’m pretty excited, and I hope you are too. My goal is to…
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Lean on Me: Poem Number 75
This is another autumn-themed poem, but with an interesting story behind it: Japanese Romanization Translation 契りをきし Chigiri okishi Depending with my life させもが露を Sasemo ga tsuyu wo on promises that fell thick 命にて Inochi ni te as dew on sasemo plants— あはれことしの Aware kotoshi no alas! the autumn of this year too 秋もいぬめり Aki mo…
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The Autumn Wind: Poem Number 71
Another great poem for Autumn: Japanese Romanization Translation 夕されば Yu sureba As evening falls, 門田の稲葉 Kadota no inaba through the rice-plants before the gate, おとづれて Otozurete it comes visiting, and rustling あしのまろやに Ashi no maroya ni on the reeds of the simple hut— 秋風ぞふく Akikaze zo fuku the autumn wind does blow! Translation by Dr…
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Autumn is here! Poem Number 69
My favorite season, Autumn, is fast approaching so I thought this would be a good poem: Japanese Romanization Translation あらし吹く Arashi fuku It’s the autumn leaves 三室の山の Mimuro no yama no of the hills of Mimuro, もみぢ葉は Momijiba wa where the tempests blow, 龍田の川の Tatsuta no kawa no that are the woven brocade floating にしきなりけり…
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Long Summer: Poem Number 98
As Summer starts to wind down, I thought this would be a good poem. In fact, it’s one of the few about Summer in the Hyakunin Isshu: Japanese Romanization Translation 風そよぐ Kaze soyogu In the evening ならの小川の Nara no ogawa no when the wind rustles the oaks 夕ぐれは Yugure wa at Nara-no-Ogawa, みそぎぞ夏の Misogi zo…
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Backfired: Poem Number 74
Even the Hyakunin Isshu has its comedic moments: Japanese Romanization Translation うかりける Ukarikeru “Make that heartless 人をはつせの Hito wo hatsuse no woman, O mountain storm 山おろしよ Yama oroshiyo of Hatsuse Temple— はげしかれとは Hageshikareto wa crueller still!”—this is not 祈らぬものを Inoranu mono wo what I prayed for, and yet… Translation by Dr Joshua Mostow The author…
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Catch Me If You Can: Poem Number 72
This is a more light-hearted poem in contrast to the previous one: Japanese Romanization Translation 音にきく Oto ni kiku Known far and wide, 高師の浜の Takashi no hama no the unpredictable waves あだ浪は Adanami wa of Takashi’s beach— かけじや袖の Kakeji ya sode no I will not let them catch me— ぬれもこそすれ Nure mo koso sure For…
The Hyakunin Isshu
A Hundreds Poems by a Hundred Poets
The Hyakunin Isshu 