On plovers: for waking-the estate of Matsukaze; for dawn-the beach at Yobitsuki; for days of snowfall-Kasadera:
ほしざぎの闇をみよとや啼ちどり
| hoshizagi no yami o miyo to ya naku chidori |
At Hoshizagi Behold the gloom-is that What the plovers cry? |
(1687)
Category Archives: Bashō
umi kurete
On ducks: after a day by the sea.
海くれて鴨のこゑほのかに白し
| umi kurete kamo no koe honoka ni shiroshi |
Dusk falls upon the sea as Ducks call Faintly in the whiteness. |
(1684)
robiraki ya
On lighting the lanterns.
炉開や左官老行鬢の霜
| robiraki ya sakan oi yuku bin no shimo |
Time to light the lanterns once again And the painter, aging, Has frost brushed upon his temples. |
(1692)
kame waruru
On ice: a poem from a cold night.
瓶わるゝ夜の氷のねざめ哉
| kame waruru yo no kōri no nezame kana |
A pot cracks In the night as ice fills it- Starting me awake. |
(1686-87)
kogarashi ya
On the winter wind.
こがらしや頬腫痛む人の顔
| kogarashi ya hoho bare itamu hito no kao |
In the winter wind Sore swollen cheeks Are on every face. |
(1690)
tsuyu ite
On freezing.
露凍て筆に汲干す淸水哉
| tsuyu ite fude ni kumi hosu shimizu kana |
The very dew has turned to ice: Drawing a little for my brush would use up all the Water remaining. |
(1687)
iza saraba
On snow-viewing.
いざさらば雪見にころぶ所迄
| iza saraba yukimi ni korobu tokoro made |
Well, if that’s the way-I’ll go to See the snow, and slip over In some spot, no doubt! |
(1687)
higoro nikuki
On snow.
ひごろにくき鳥も雪の朝哉
| higoro nikuki karasu mo yuki no ashita kana |
Most days they’re hateful, yet Even the crows, against the snow This morning seem fine. |
(1691)
sake nomeba
On snow: on a snowy night at Fukakawa.
酒のめばいとゞ寐られね夜の雪
| sake nomeba itodo nerarene yoru no yuki |
As I drink my wine, Sleep eludes me still On this snow-swept night. |
(1686)
yogi wa omoshi
On snow.
夜着は重し呉天に雪を見るあらん
| yogi wa omoshi goten ni yuki o miru aran |
Bedclothes as heavy As the skies in Wu-snow Is in the air, I’d say. |
(1682)