Translation
At
the beginning of spring
the beginning of spring
Is it spring?
The plums bloom
late
late
And not even
The warblers
Will sing their
tune.
tune.
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Japanese
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Pronunciation
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ふぢはらのことなほ
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Fujiwara no Kotonao
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はるやとき
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Haru ya toki
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花やおそきと
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Hana ya osoki to
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ききわかむ
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Kikiwakan
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鶯だにも
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Uguisu dani mo
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なかずもあるかな
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Nakazu mo aru kana
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Translation Notes
Spring/swells/forms
[particle] time
[particle] time
Flower
[particle] late [particle]
[particle] late [particle]
Hear erupt/gush-not
Bush-warbler/nightingale
[not even] [also]
[not even] [also]
Sings not
[also] is [how!/alas!]
[also] is [how!/alas!]
Both the uguisu (bush warblers) beginning to sing and plum blossoms
beginning to bloom herald the start of spring. This poem plays on the fact that
it appears to be spring, but the two traditional signs of spring are not occurring.
beginning to bloom herald the start of spring. This poem plays on the fact that
it appears to be spring, but the two traditional signs of spring are not occurring.