真実かと聞きてみつれば言の葉を
飾れる玉の枝にぞありける
飾れる玉の枝にぞありける
- Roma-ji
-
Makoto ka to kikite mitsureba koto no ha o
kazareru tama no e ni zo arikeru - English Translation
-
Hearing it as true,
I went to look—and found:
words,
ornamented—
a jeweled branch.
- Meaning
- Hearing the tale, and thinking it true, I went to look—only to find a jeweled branch ornamented with words.
- Commentary
-
This poem was composed by Princess Kaguya after she learned the truth about the “Jeweled Branch of Horai” brought by Prince Kuramochi,
which was revealed to be an exquisitely made counterfeit when the craftsmen, whose promised rewards were broken, disclosed the facts.
- Source
- Taketori Monogatari
- Other
-
- Of Kure bamboo, through generations, the bamboo cutter— though in fields and hills, we saw not only such bitter turns.
- My sleeves today are dried; so of wretchedness, the thousand kinds will surely be forgotten.
- Over the years, no waves ever come ashore at Sumi-no-e; I hear there is no use in waiting— is that truly so?
- There was no use at all; worn out with grief to the end, this dying life— will you not save it, if you can?