Basho: "What a mix of hail and snow: ~ A summer kimono's ~ fine design"
by Frank Watson
My Translation

What a mix of hail and snow:

A summer kimono’s

Fine design


Original Japanese


霰まじる帷子雪は小紋かな


Pronunciation


Arare majiru

Katabira-yuki wa

Komon kana


Literal


Hail mixed with

Summer kimono snow* as for

Fine pattern how!


“Katabira-yuki” is the large, flat snow often seen on the patterns of light, summer kimonos (called yukatas). He is saying the mix of hail and snow he sees in reality looks like a kimono pattern. He is also contrasting summer dress with a winter storm.
All writings and translations are Copyright © by Frank Watson, also writing as "Blue Flute" (2011-2014).
Year: 
2011