From Hyakunin Isshu, "Isn't there some secret way?"
by Frank Watson

There is much erotic wordplay and imagery in this one. The old way of writing Osaka was 逢坂 where 逢 by itself is pronounced “au” and means “to meet/tryst/rendezvous.” Reading逢坂 as two separate kanji rather than as a single word means “rendezvous hill.” “Sa ne” by itself means “come, sleep [with me].” Sanekazura is a climbing vine with edible scarlet berries.


My Translation


By Minister Sanjou


Scarlet berries of Mount Osaka:

If the name really means

“Rendezvous Hill,”

Isn’t there some secret way

For her to come and sleep with me?


Original Japanese


三条右大臣


名にしおはば

逢坂山の

さねかづら

人にしられで

くるよしもがな


Pronunciation


Sanjo Udaijin


Na ni shi owaba

Osakayama no

Sanekazura

Hito ni shirarede

Kuru yoshi mo gana


Literal Translation


[name that it carries on back / be worthy of the name] if

Osaka Mountain

Scarlet kadsura

People know not

[Come/reel in thread] some way isn’t there?

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