Basho's "My feet become entangled"
by Frank Watson
My Translation

As I return home

My feet become entangled—

In the threaded cherry blossoms


Original Japanese


糸桜にや帰るさの足もつれ


Pronunciation


Ito-zakura

Koya kaeru-sa no

Ashi motsure


Literal


Thread/drooping cherry blossom

Toward return when/as ’s [=as I leave]

Foot tangled/snagged gets


The “threaded cherry blossom” is a type of cherry blossom tree that droops down. This is punning “thread” in the name of the tree and becoming entangled. It’s expressing his reluctance to leave the beauty of the tree.


All writings and translations are Copyright © by Frank Watson, also writing as "Blue Flute" (2011-2014).
Year: 
2011