matsushima ya ojima ga iso ni yoru nami no tsuki no kōri ni chidori nakunari
In Matsushima Upon Ojima’s rocky shore Break waves, while from The moon’s ice The plovers are a’calling.[i]
12
[i] See: I went to the province of Sanuki and arrived at harbour called Minotsu. The moon was bright and bamboo racks for growing seaweed filled the bay. Gazing across, into the distance, I saw seabirds arriving and soaring above them. しきわたす月のこほりをうたがひてひびのてまはるあぢのむらとり shikiwatasu / tsuki no kōri o / utagaite / hibi no te mawaru / aji no muradori ‘Spread out all o’er, / The moon for ice / Mistaking / Above the bamboo racks a’circling / Is a flock of teal…’ Saigyō (Sankashū 1404); and: Waterbirds beneath the moon (poetry match) すはのうみの月のこほりにゐるかもはさえぬをりにやおもひとくらん suwa no umi no / tsuki no kōri ni / iru kamo wa / saenu ori ni ya / omoitokuran ‘At the Suwa Sea / Upon the moon’s ice / Rest ducks: / That ’tis not chill at all / I wonder, will they work it out?’ (Hirokoto-shū 66)
Composed on the conception of the evening of the year by the sea, at the residence of the Tsuchimikado Palace Minister.
ゆくとしをゝじまのあまのぬれ衣かさねて袖になみやかくらん
yuku toshi o ojima no ama no nuregoromo kasnete sode ni nami ya kakuran
The parting year covers me with Regret, as at Ojima the fisherfolk’s Drenched robes are Laid atop each other, with sleeves Still washed by waves, it seems…
