Fujiwara no Kintsune's "Perhaps—it was me?" (Hyakunin Isshu #96)
by Frank Watson
Translation


Priest and Former Prime Minister, Fujiwara no Kintsune (1171-1244)


Flowers pointing

To garden snow

That vanished in the storm,

Passing away:

Perhaps—was it me?



Original Japanese
Pronunciation


入道前太政大臣
Nyudo Saki no Dajodaijin


花さそふ
Hana sasou
あらしの庭の
Arashi no niwa no
雪ならで
Yuki nara de
ふりゆくものは
Furi yuku mono wa
わが身なりけり
Waga mi nari keri


Literal Notes

         

Flower [invite/ask/tempt/point/pierce/insert/shine/leads]

[Storm/tempest/lay-waste] ’s garden ’s

Snow not-being

[Falling/pass/disadvantage] go/pass-away thing

My body/self [was-it?/wasn’t-it?]


All writings and translations are Copyright © by Frank Watson, also writing as "Blue Flute" (2011-2014).
Year: 
2012