Time has passed And I am not the same But in the wandering tune Of this torn-up palace I play the song of what has gone “Sasama” is the name of the palace and literally means “music waves” or “music wandering.” Original Text Modern Text …
Read MoreThis Gracious Field
Emperor Tenmu (d. 686) Gentle men have praised With great and goodly words This gracious field So gorgeously gazed upon By the good men here Original Text Modern Text Pronunciation 大海人 大海人 Ooshi Aama no Mikoto (Emperor Tenmu) 淑人乃 淑き人の Yoki hito no 良跡吉見而 …
Read MoreRecalling the Mountain Path
Prince Ooama (later Emperor Tenmu, 631-686) On Mimiga Ridge, I hear the sounds . . . Of snow that Falls without cease, Without time. Of rain that splays Without end, Without pause. Of no corner Left untouched By the storm . . . And I …
Read MoreExiled on Irago Island
Omi no Ookimi (Prince Omi, ~675AD) Cicada’s empty shell— Eating seaweed, I treasure a fleeting life All wet From Irago waves A reply to the previous poem, #23 in the Manyoshu Original Text Modern Text Pronunciation 麻続王 麻続王 Omi no Ookimi 空蝉之 …
Read MoreBeaten Hemp
Unknown Beaten hemp— Prince Omi’s A mere fisherman, Cutting seaweed On Irago Island. Refers to Prince Omi’s exile. The image is that he is now living a life no greater than a peasant fisherman. “Beaten hemp” is a “pillow word” for “spun hemp,” a kind …
Read MoreA Girl Forever
Fufuki no Touji (Lady Fufuki, ~675 AD) At the riverhead, A rock mound Without grass— I wish you too Would stay a girl Written when Princess Abe visited the Ise shrine. Original Text Modern Text Pronunciation 吹黄刀自 吹黄刀自 Fufuki no Touji 河上乃 川の上の Kawa no …
Read MoreAnother’s Wife
Prince Ooama (later Emperor Tenmu, 631-686) You have A violet scent, my darling, But I hate That you’re another’s wife, So how is it I love you? A reply to poem #20 Original Text Modern Text Pronunciation 大海人 大海人 Ooama 紫草能 紫の Murasaki no 尓保敝類妹乎 …
Read MoreThe Guards Might See
Nukata no Ookimi (a.k.a. Princess Nukata, 630-690 AD) Crimson red . . . We met In the purple fields . . . You wave, but oh! The guards might see. “Crimson red” is symbolism for the morning sun. “Purple” is symbolism for royalty. So this …
Read MoreI See Your Holding Onto Me
Inohe no Ookimi (a.k.a. Princess Inohe, probably around late 600s AD) Like the sticklers Of Hesokata’s Hazel trees, I see you Holding on to me. Original Text Modern Text Pronunciation 井戸王 井戸王 Inohe no Ookimi 綜麻形乃 綜麻形の Hesokata no 林始乃 林のさきの Hayashi no saki no …
Read MoreLift Your Veil
Nukata no Ookimi (a.k.a. Princess Nukata, 630-690 AD) Why Do the clouds Cover Miwa Mountain? Show some pity And lift your veil! Original Text Modern Text Pronunciation 額田王 額田王 Nukata no Ookimi 三輪山乎 三輪山を Miwa-yama wo 然毛隠賀 しかも隠すか Shikamo kakusuka 雲谷裳 雲だにも Kumo dani mo …
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