Translated from Basho: "The Poet's Patroness"
by Frank Watson
The image in the sky—

Is it the face of the moon,

Or the Poet’s Patroness?


影は天の下照る姫か月の顔


Kage wa ame no

Shita teru hime ka

Tsuki no kao


Literal & Notes


[light/image/figure/reflection] as for heavenly

Below shine princess maybe

Moon’s face/visage


“Heavenly” is also a symbol of the imperial line. “Shita-teru-hime” is the daughter Okuninushi, an emperor in Shinto myth. She is considered the ancestress of classical Japanese poets.

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