kawa kaze ya

On evening cool: taking the cool of the evening by the riverside at Shijō–from when the moon rises in the evening to around dawn, people spread out mats and spend the whole night enjoying themselves, eating and drinking. The women wear their most fashionable obi, and the men wear long kimono jackets; priests and old people join in, too, with apprentices to coopers and smiths-everyone spending their free time smiling, singing and chatting. That’s a real glimpse of the capital.

川かぜや薄がききたる夕すずみ

kawa kaze ya
usugaki kitaru
yū suzumi
In the river breezes,
Dressed in dusky pink
We take the evening cool.

(1690)

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