Ancient Japan in Poetry — Classical Verse for Travelers

Nara · Yoshinoyama

Spring

世の中に絶えて桜のなかりせば春の心はのどけからまし

If only cherry blossoms never existed in this world— how peaceful spring would be

Ariwara no Narihira Heian period

Kyoto · Ōkakuji Temple, Sagano (Arashiyama)

Autumn

滝の音は絶えて久しくなりぬれど名こそ流れてなほ聞こえけれ

Though the waterfall fell silent long, long ago— its fame flows on, and still I hear it

Fujiwara no Kinto Heian period

Tokyo · Sumida River

Spring

春の夜は桜に明けてしまひけり

The spring night passes— and before I knew it, dawn arrived dressed in cherry blossoms

Matsuo Basho Edo period

Osaka · Naniwa (Osaka Bay)

Spring

なにはがた短き葦のふしのまもあはでこの世をすぐしてよとや

Even for the brief space between reed joints at Naniwa Bay—must I pass through this life without ever meeting you?

Lady Ise Heian period

Hiroshima · Itsukushima (Miyajima)

Autumn

安芸の海島の浦廻の岩に生ふるあをによし奈良の都は咲きにけるかも

Along autumn's sea, the island shores— On rocks where abalone feed among swaying kelp, Dew withers in the fading light.

Anonymous Nara period

Fukuoka · Dazaifu

Spring

東風吹かばにほひおこせよ梅の花あるじなしとて春な忘れそ

When the east wind blows toward you, send me your fragrance, beloved plum— though I am gone, do not forget to bloom.

Sugawara no Michizane Heian period

Kamakura · Kamakura Hills (overlooking the sea)

Spring

春かすみたなびく山のへにいりてながむれば海はるかなりけり

Stepping into mountains veiled in spring haze, I turn my gaze— the sea stretches endlessly far below.

Minamoto no Sanetomo Kamakura period

Kobe / Hyogo · Suma Beach, Kobe

Summer

わくらばに問ふ人あらば須磨の浦に藻塩たれつつわぶと答えよ

If by rare chance someone asks of me, tell them I weep at Suma's shore, dripping brine with the burning seaweed, lost in sorrow.

Ariwara no Yukihira Heian period

Shiga / Lake Biwa · Otsu Palace (Ōmi Ōtsu-no-miya)

Autumn

秋の田のかりほの庵の苫をあらみわが衣手は露にぬれつつ

In the autumn fields, a humble harvest hut— through gaps in the rough-woven thatch, my sleeves grow heavy with the falling dew.

Emperor Tenji Asuka period

Hokkaido · Aoyagi-cho, Hakodate

Spring

函館の青柳町こそかなしけれ友の恋歌矢ぐるまの花

Aoyagi-cho in Hakodate— how it aches with sorrow, my friend's love songs and cornflowers blooming

Ishikawa Takuboku Meiji period

Nagano · Chikuma River, Nagano

Any

信濃なる千曲の川のさざれ石も君し踏みてば玉と拾はむ

Even the smallest stones of Chikuma's rushing waters— if your feet have touched them, I would treasure them as gems.

Anonymous Nara period

Yamanashi · Mt. Fuji (Kawaguchiko / Fujiyoshida side)

Winter

田子の浦にうち出でてみれば白妙の富士の高嶺に雪は降りつつ

Stepping out at Tago Bay, I gaze— upon Fuji's soaring peak, snow falls endlessly, pure as white silk

Yamabe no Akahito Nara period

Ishikawa / Kanazawa · Kanazawa

Autumn

あかあかと日は難面も秋の風

The sun blazes red, relentless still— yet autumn's wind has come to whisper change

Matsuo Basho Edo period