classic waka stream

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  • Makura no Soshi

Yookomete torinosoranewa hakarutomo yoniōsakano sekiwayurusaji

Though you counterfeit the cock's cry while the night is still deep, the barrier at Ōsaka will never let you through.

Makura no Soshi - Sei Shōnagon

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Ōsakawa hitokoeyasuki sekinareba torinakanunimo aketematsutoka

The Ōsaka barrier is an easy one to cross; they say it stands open and waiting even before the cock has crowed.

Makura no Soshi - Fujiwara no Yukinari

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Koreodani katamitoomouni miyakoniwa hagaeyashitsuru shiishibanosode

Even this I keep as a memento of him — yet in the capital, have the sleeves of the mourning robe already changed their leaves?

Makura no Soshi

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Watatsuumino okinikogaruru monomireba amanotsurishite kaerunarikeri

Looking at what is burning out on the open sea, I find it is only the fisherfolk coming home from their angling.

Makura no Soshi

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Ikanishite ikanishiramashi itsuwario soranitadasuno kaminakariseba

How, and by what means, could a lie ever be known, were there no god of Tadasu in the sky to try it?

Makura no Soshi - Empress Teishi

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Ususakosa sorenimoyoranu hanayueni ukiminohodoo miruzowabishiki

Faint or deep — it has nothing to do with that; because of a flower, because of a sneeze, I am shown the wretchedness of my own standing.

Makura no Soshi - Sei Shōnagon

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Minahitono hanayachōyato isoguhimo wagakokorooba kimizoshirikeru

Even on this day when everyone is caught up in flowers and butterflies, it is you who knew what was in my heart.

Makura no Soshi - Empress Teishi

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Akanesasu hinimukaitemo omoiideyo miyakowaharenu nagamesuramuto

Even facing the sun in Hyūga, remember this: in the capital the rains will not clear, and I shall be gazing out at them.

Makura no Soshi - Empress Teishi

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Yamachikaki iriainokaneno koegotoni kōrukokorono kazuwashiruramu

There among the hills, at each stroke of the evening bell, you must know how many times my heart has longed for you.

Makura no Soshi - Empress Teishi

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Nanamagarini magarerutamano oonukite aritōshitowa shirazuyaaruramu

The cord was drawn through the jewel that winds seven ways — do they not know, then, that this is the ant that passes through?

Makura no Soshi

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Kakemakumo kashikokikamino shirushiniwa tsurunoyowaito narinubekikana

As a sign of the god whose name it is awe enough even to speak, I shall surely be given the long years of the crane.

Makura no Soshi - Sei Shōnagon

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Sakashirani yanaginomayuno hirogorite harunoomoteo fusuruyadokana

Here the willow's brows have spread themselves out in a knowing way, and the face of spring hangs down for shame at this house.

Makura no Soshi - Sei Shōnagon

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Ikanishite suginishikatao sugushikemu kurashiwazurau kinōkyōkana

However did I get through the days that are past? These last two days I can hardly get through at all.

Makura no Soshi - Empress Teishi

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Kumonouemo kurashikanekeru harunohio tokorogaratomo nagametsurukana

So even above the clouds the spring days were hard to get through — and I had been gazing at them, thinking it was only where I happened to be.

Makura no Soshi - Sei Shōnagon

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Watatsuumini oyaoshiirete kononushino bonsurumiruzo awarenarikeru

Having pushed his own father into the sea, this fellow now performs the Bon offering — a touching sight indeed.

Makura no Soshi - Dōmyō

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Takigikoru kotowakinōni tsukinishio izaonogaewa kokonikutasamu

The gathering of firewood came to its end yesterday — so let the handle of the axe rot away here where we are.

Makura no Soshi

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