Fujiwara no Kotonao, "Is it spring?"
by Frank Watson
Translation

At the beginning of spring

Is it spring?
The plums bloom late
And not even
The warblers
Will sing their tune.


Japanese
Pronunciation


ふぢはらのことなほ
Fujiwara no Kotonao


はるやとき
Haru ya toki
花やおそきと
Hana ya osoki to
ききわかむ
Kikiwakan
鶯だにも
Uguisu dani mo
なかずもあるかな
Nakazu mo aru kana


Translation Notes

Spring/swells/forms [particle] time
Flower [particle] late [particle]
Hear erupt/gush-not
Bush-warbler/nightingale [not even] [also]
Sings not [also] is [how!/alas!]

Both the uguisu (bush warblers) beginning to sing and plum blossoms beginning to bloom herald the start of spring. This poem plays on the fact that it appears to be spring, but the two traditional signs of spring are not occurring.
All writings and translations are Copyright © by Frank Watson, also writing as "Blue Flute" (2011-2014).
Year: 
2013