Basho's "The tail tapers off"
by Frank Watson

 

 

My Translation


As the wind blows

The tail tapers off—

Of the dog cherry blossoms


Original Japanese


風吹けば尾細うなるや犬桜


Pronunciation


Kaze fuke-ba

Obosou-naru ya

Inu-zakura


Literal


Wind blows as/when

[Dog’s] tail/end tapers/dainty becomes

Dog cherry blossom [type of cherry blossom]


The dog cherry blossom is a type of cherry with small white blossoms. This haiku plays with the name of the “dog cherry blossom” by calling the branches its “tail.”

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