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Tag: Babel – Japanese translations

The Song They Sang

The spirits Have gone away But in these ruins I hear the sacred sound Of the song they sang Original Text Modern Text Pronunciation 高市黒人 高市黒人 Takechi no Kuroto 樂浪乃 楽浪の Sasanami no 國都美神乃 国つ御神の Kunitsumi-kami no 浦佐備而 うらさびて Ura sabite 荒有京 荒れたる都 Aretaru Miyako …

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Babel - Japanese translations, ManyoshuLeave a Comment on The Song They SangSeptember 10, 2014April 20, 2020 By Frank Watson

I Play the Song

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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Babel - Japanese translations, ManyoshuLeave a Comment on I Play the SongSeptember 10, 2014April 20, 2020 By Frank Watson

A Gift from God

This tree grows through all the rocks that cover the spring field rising through the mist until it’s far into the sky reaching beyond the heavens providing strength for generation after generation a gift from God Inspired by Manyoshu #29 Original Text Modern Text Pronunciation …

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Babel - Japanese translations, ManyoshuLeave a Comment on A Gift from GodSeptember 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

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