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Category: Japanese Translations

I Play the Song of What Has Gone

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 …

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Leave a Comment on I Play the Song of What Has GoneSeptember 10, 2014April 20, 2020 By Frank Watson

This 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 …

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Babel - Japanese translations, Emperor Tenmu, ManyoshuLeave a Comment on This Gracious FieldJuly 22, 2014April 20, 2020 By Frank Watson

Recalling 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 …

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Babel - Japanese translations, Manyoshu, Prince OoamaLeave a Comment on Recalling the Mountain PathOctober 18, 2013April 20, 2020 By Frank Watson

Exiled 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 …

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Babel - Japanese translations, Manyoshu, Prince OmiLeave a Comment on Exiled on Irago IslandOctober 18, 2013April 20, 2020 By Frank Watson

Beaten 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 …

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Anonymous, Babel - Japanese translations, ManyoshuLeave a Comment on Beaten HempOctober 17, 2013April 20, 2020 By Frank Watson

A 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 …

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Babel - Japanese translations, Fufuki no Touji, ManyoshuLeave a Comment on A Girl ForeverOctober 17, 2013April 20, 2020 By Frank Watson

Another’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 …

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Babel - Japanese translations, Manyoshu, Prince OoamaLeave a Comment on Another’s WifeOctober 15, 2013April 20, 2020 By Frank Watson

The 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 …

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Babel - Japanese translations, Manyoshu, Nukata no OokimiLeave a Comment on The Guards Might SeeOctober 15, 2013April 20, 2020 By Frank Watson

I 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 …

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Babel - Japanese translations, Inohe no Ookimi, ManyoshuLeave a Comment on I See Your Holding Onto MeOctober 14, 2013April 20, 2020 By Frank Watson

Lift 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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Babel - Japanese translations, Manyoshu, Nukata no OokimiLeave a Comment on Lift Your VeilOctober 14, 2013April 20, 2020 By Frank Watson

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