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