Frogs (蛙)
谷川のあさき瀬ごとにみがくれてつまよぶかはづ声きこゆなり
tanikawa no
asaki se goto ni
migakurete
tsuma yobu kawazu
koe kikoyunari |
In the valleys’ streams’
Every shallow rapid
Concealing themselves, and
Calling for a mate, the frogs’
Cries I hear! |
Tadafusa
港風寒く吹くらし奈呉の江に妻呼び交し鶴多に鳴く
minato kaze
samuku pukurasi
nago no e ni
tuma yobikapasi
tadusapa ni naku |
The wind from off the harbor
Blows chill, and
Across the inlet of Nago
Calling to their mates
Are many noisy cranes… |
Ōtomo no Yakamochi
大伴家持
'Simply moving and elegant'