Kokinshu #33

Tuesday, 7 December 2010 07:10
lnhammer: the Chinese character for poetry, red on white background (Default)
[personal profile] lnhammer
(Topic unknown.)

    More than the color
I find that it's the fragrance
    that moves me the most.
Whose sleeve was it that brushed
the plum blossoms by my house?

—19 October 2010

(Original author unknown.) Note that in the first half, it's not stated whether the color/scent of flowers or of clothing are compared, though the former is the likely initial interpretation until one gets to the second half. Again, I suspect an element of eroticism in the sleeves, especially given that fure can be read as "to wave/flutter" as well as "to touch."


iro yori mo
ka koso aware to
omouyure
ta ga sode fureshi
yado no ume zo mo


---L.

Date: 7 December 2010 19:07 (UTC)
movingfinger: (Default)
From: [personal profile] movingfinger
I can imagine this showing up with a soft-focus photo (and, tastefully, no picture of the bottle or blatant brand idenfication at all) as a perfume or even soap ad!

Date: 7 December 2010 23:06 (UTC)
movingfinger: (Default)
From: [personal profile] movingfinger
It would also make a nice Beatles song, in the lyrical "Yesterday" mode.

About

Warning: contents contain line-breaks.

As language practice, I like to translate poetry. My current project is Chinese, with practice focused on Tang Dynasty poetry. Previously this was classical Japanese, most recently working through the Kokinshu anthology (archived here). Suggestions, corrections, and questions always welcome.

There's also original pomes in the journal archives.

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