The Game of 100 Poems --- Hyakunin Isshu
I’ll introduce some of the 100 poems. These poems were written by ancient Japanese.
They have each meaning. It’s difficult to translate them into English correctly. Because they have each background and it includes Japanese peculiar feeling which foreign people can’t understand easily. But I tried to translate them as correctly as possible.
1.
(Harusugite natsukinikerashi shirotaeno Koromohosutyo amanokaguyama Jito Tennou)
Spring’s gone, and summer is coming. Because the pure white robes hang on Ama-no-Kagu Mountain as a sign of summer. People get ready for the coming summer by hanging their summer clothes.
Empress Jito
This poem is recorded on Manyosyu. The author, Empress Jito, was the second
daughter of Emperor Tenji.
2.
(Nagekitsutsu hitorinuruyono akurumawa Ikanihisashiki monotokawashiru Udaisyo Michitsuna no Haha)
Do you know that I wasn’t able to sleep all night long? I was sad that you didn’t come to see me. Mother of Michitsuna
At one time married style was very different from that of today. In those days, marriage couples didn’t live together. Husband went to see his wife every night. If he hadn’t gone to see her for 3 days, it means divorce. So the author of this poem seemed to feel anxiety.
3.
(Meguriaite mishiyasoretomo wakanumani Kumogakurenishi yowanotsukikana Murasaki Shikibu)
I looked at you after a long time. But you have returned in a hurry before I can distinguish whether you are you. You seem to be the moon which is hidden in clouds completely. Lady Murasaki Shikibu
The author Murasaki shikibu is very famous in Japanese history. She was a very clever lady and good poet. She wrote “Genji Monogatari(The story of Genji)” and “Murasaki Shikibu Nikki (The diary of Murasaki Shikibu)”. These are very famous books. Most of us read them as a Japanese textbooks.
4.
(Hanasasou arashinoniwano yukinarade Furiyukumonowa wagaminarikeri Nyudo Saki no Dajo Daijin)
The petal is scattered like snow by the storm. However, it is not a flower but I myself who grows older gradually that break up. Fujiwara no Kintsune
The author who is very old thinks that his life will finish soon. Although he was very successful in politics, he is sad time undermines him.
Kanae
