Kasuga Field—
today, burn it not, I pray;
the young spring grass—
my wife, too, is hidden,
and I, too, am hidden.
- Meaning
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Today, burn not Kasuga Field. In the young spring grass, my wife is hidden, and I, too, am hidden.
- Commentary
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Spring Songs, Book One
During springtime field play, the poem sings of a man and a woman hiding from people’s eyes.
Field play in ancient times was an occasion when courtship took place.
The fourth and fifth lines repeat, creating a simple rhythm.
- Author
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Unknown Poet
- Source
-
Kokin Wakashu
- Other
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Though spring has come,
in the mountain village where
even flowers give no scent,
with a weary-sounding cry
the bush warbler sings.
-
Living near the fields,
each morning, morning by morning,
the bush warbler’s cry
as it sings can be heard—
so I listen, dawn by dawn.
-
In the deep mountains,
even the snow on pine trees
has not yet melted;
in the Capital, on the fields,
young greens are gathered.
-
Pushing the azusa bow,
today spring rain has fallen;
if it falls even tomorrow,
I shall gather the young greens
then as well.