spring comes with new garments for the evergreens greener than the shades they leave behind Based on a poem by Minamoto no Muneyuki (d. 983).
Read MoreSpring Mist
spring mist rises from the leaves and grassy fields to dress and undress as silk robes in the wind Based on a poem by Ariwara no Yukihira (818-893).
Read MoreAutumn Night, A Note
Autumn Night, A Note Wei Yingwu (~737 – 792) By chance I think of you this autumn nightBetween my steps and song, and cooling skies:Within your quiet hills a pine cone falls,For you as well must not have closed your eyes. Chinese 秋夜寄邱員外韋應物 懷君屬秋夜散步詠涼天空山松子落幽人應未眠 Pronunciation Qiū Yè Jì Qiū …
Read MoreThe Battle Map
The Battle Map Du Fu (712-770) The deeds today do not exceed those timesWhen battles broke our bloody lands in three.As rivers flow, the stones stay still within:The three states would not join in unity. Chinese 八陣圖杜甫 功蓋三分國名成八陣圖江流石不轉遺恨失吞吳 Pronunciation Bā Zhèn TúDù Fǔ Gōng gài sān fēn guóMíng gāo bā …
Read MoreBitter Love
Bitter Love Li Bai (701-762) The beauty sits behind a jeweled screen,Lamenting him with lovely, furled brows.When all I see are cheeks stained wet with tears,I wonder, where’s the one who broke his vows? Chinese 怨情李白 美人捲珠簾深坐蹙蛾眉但見淚痕濕不知心恨誰 Pronunciation Yuàn QíngLǐ Bái Měi rén juǎn zhū liánShēn zuò cù é méiDàn …
Read MoreThoughts on a Quiet Night
Thoughts on a Quiet Night Li Bai (701-762) Before my bed the bright moon shines its light,Perhaps the frost now covers all the ground;I lift my head to see the shining moon,I bow my head to see my native town. Chinese 靜夜思李白 床前明月光疑是地上霜舉頭望明月低頭思故鄉 Pronunciation Jìng Yè SīLǐ Bái Chuáng qián …
Read MoreSpring Dawn
Spring Dawn Meng Haoran (689/691–740) Asleep in spring, unconscious of the dawn,The chirp chirp song of birds is everywhere.Last night the thunder, wind, and rain came long—How many blossoms now remain out there? Chinese 春曉孟 浩 然 春眠不覺曉處處聞啼鳥夜來風雨聲花落知多少 Pronunciation Chūn XiǎoMèng Hàorán Chūn mián bù jué xiǎoChǔ chǔ wén tí …
Read MoreGazing at Zhongnan’s Snow
Gazing at Zhongnan’s Snow Zu Yong (699-746?) As snow on Zhongnan Mountain floats in bloomsTo form beyond the peak in cloudy netsThe forest clears in brightly colored hues—But in the town, the cold and darkness sets. Chinese 終南望餘雪祖詠 終南陰嶺秀積雪浮雲端林表明霽色城中增暮寒 Pronunciation Zhōng Nán Wàng Yú XuěZǔ Yǒng Zhōng nán yīn lǐng …
Read MoreKokinshu 1009 – "Hatsuse River"
1009 Hatsuse River—Where ancient waters flowBeside the two-trunk tree When years have passedI hope we’ll meet againBeside the two-trunk tree はつせ河ふるかはのべにふたもとあるすぎ年をへて又もあひ見むふたもとあるすぎ Haru sarebaNobe ni mazu sakuMiredo akanu hanaMainashi niTada nanoru bekiHana no na nare ya Author unknown. The two-trunk cedar tree, the pairing with the …
Read MoreKokinshu 1008 – "When Spring Arrives"
1008 When spring arrivesAnd fields begin to bloomIf you see a flowerThat’s just a sproutMere whispers are bestUntil it’s out 春さればのべにまづさく見れどあかぬ花まひなしにただなのるべき花のななれや Haru sarebaNobe ni mazu sakuMiredo akanu hanaMainashi niTada nanoru bekiHana no na nare ya Author unknown. A reply to a poem #1007. He …
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