Classical Poetry of Hiroshima

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

Rowing past these island shores along the Aki sea, my longing for the capital grows ever stronger still

By torchlight on Tomo's rocky shore, my heart bends low like wind-pressed reeds— how deep this longing weighs.

When the tide pulls away, what then shall become of me? I came trusting the seaweed on these rocks.

When spring arrives at Aki's shores, the mist rises thick— even the islands vanish, leaving my heart adrift.

Rowing out across the endless sea, I gaze upon white waves rising far— indistinguishable from clouds in the distant sky.

The sea in spring— all the long day, rocking, rocking, gently rocking

Rowing past scattered islands, near and far, I arrive— Aki's great island draped in trailing mist.

Come to me by moonlight's silver glow, To Aki's white-capped inlet shores— For this is an autumn night.

On Mitsu's shore at Ōtomo, I rest my head upon pine roots— how sorrowful this journey.