In this video I provide some background information on how the old Japanese conducted love affairs, and the role poetry played in them. In addition, I discuss how some of the features of (pre)modern Japanese pose challenges for the translator of waka.
Tag Archives: Love
Horikawa-in enjo awase 2
The same Major Counsellor, writing vertically upon delicate scarlet paper.
年ふともいはで朽ちぬる埋木の下の心はふりぬ恋かな
| toshi futomo iwade kuchinuru umoregi no shita no kokoro wa furinu koi kana | The years pass by, yet Without a word, has rotted The drowned tree— Beneath it, my heart Has grown old with love! |
3
In reply
ふかからぬ水無瀬の川の埋木はしたの恋路は年ふりぬとも
| fukakaranu minase no kawa no umoregi wa shita no koiji wa toshi furinu tomo | There’s no depth to The River Minase, where Drowned trees lie— Beneath, the paths of love Have grown old in years, and yet… |
Chikuzen, Daughter of Prince Yasusuke
4
Shiki koi sanshu uta’awase – Love
Love
Left
恋せじと御手洗川に御祓して神うけつらんとおもほゆるかな
| koi seji to mitarashigawa ni oharaishite kami uketsuran to omohoyuru kana | I’ll not fall in love, and At the River Mitarashi Purify myself— Would the gods then accept me, I wonder! |
25
恋なれどそこにもすまぬひれはみづにごれりとおもほゆるかな
| koi naredo soko ni mo sumanu hire wa mizu nigoreri to omohoyuru kana | This is love, yet The deeps are all disturbed, with Fins the waters Clouding, I feel! |
26
こひわたる程のふかさにそめ川の色あさからじとおもほゆるかな
| koiwataru hodo no fukasa ni somekawa no iro asakaraji to omohoyuru kana | So long have I loved you that The depths of Dyers’ River have Lost their pale hues I feel! |
27
Right
おもふとて夕ぐれがたのながめをや人待つほどの恋といふらん
| omou tote yūguregata no nagame o ya hito matsu hodo no koi to iuran | Thinking of him As evening draws on, and I gaze on long rains falling; is Time pining for a man Being in love, I wonder? |
28
年の内にあまる月日の有りければかぞへのうちにははわぶるかな
| toshi no uchi ni amaru tsuki hi no arikereba kazoe no uchi ni haha waburu kana | Throughout the year The days and months mount up So Counting them My mother grieves! |
29
GSS IX: 571
Although he had expressed his feelings to a woman who had another man in her thoughts, when she was cold to him, he sent her this.
思ふ人おもはぬ人の思ふ人おもはざらなん思ひしるべく
| omoFu Fito omofanu Fito no omoFu Fito omoFazaran omoFisirubeku | There is one I love, who Does not love me, but Loves another; I wish that she did not— That is what I would have you know! |
Anonymous
KKS XV: 809
A poem from the Poetry Contest held by the Empress Dowager during the reign of the Kanpyō emperor.
つれなきを今は恋ひじとおもへども心よはくも落ちつる涙か
| turenaki wo ima Fa koFizi to omoFedomo kokoro yoFaku mo otituru namida ka | Heartless, She has ceased to love me I know, yet Is it from my feeble heart, that These tears fall? |
Suga no Tadaomu
MYS II: 114
A poem composed by Princess Tajima, when she was staying at the palace of Prince Takechi, and thinking fondly of Prince Hozumi.
秋の田の穂向きの寄れる片寄りに君に寄りなな言痛くありとも
| aki no ta no po mukiyoreru katayori ni kimi ni yori na na kotitaku ari to mo | In the autumn fields The ripened ears incline Toward me all together; Just as I would beckon you, my love, Heedless of stinging rumours… |
Princess Tajima ( -708)
但馬皇女
KKS XI: 499
Topic unknown.
あしひきの山郭公わがごとや君に恋ひつつ寝ねがてにする
| asiFiki no yamaFototogisu wa ga goto ya kimi ni koitutu inegate ni suru | Leg-wearying, O, mountain cuckoo, Just as I, Are you ever in love and Unable to sleep at all? |
Anonymous
KKS XI: 498
Topic unknown.
わが園の梅の末枝に鶯の音になきぬべき恋もするかな
| wa ga sono no ume no Fodue ni uguFisu no ne ni nakinubeki koFi mo suru kana | In my garden From the plum treetops A warbler Does cry so – He must be in love, as I… |
Anonymous
Eikyū hyakushu 476
Love on Waking from Sleep 寝覚恋
うきしづみ身のおき所なき物はねざめの恋の枕なりけり
| ukishizumi mi no okidokoro naki mono wa nezame no koi no makura narikeri | Floating, then sinking, With no steady Spot at all – When in love and I awaken, that Is how my pillow is. |
Higo
Eikyū hyakushu 455
Love Separated by Distant Roads 隔遠路恋
我がこひは心づくしのみちとほみゆきめぐりてもいつかあふべき
| wa ga koi wa kokorozukushi no michi tōmi yukimeguritemo itsuka aubeki | My love does Drain my heart; On distant roads He travels on, yet When is it we will meet? |
Higo