思ひいづるときはの山の郭公
唐紅のふりいでてぞなく
唐紅のふりいでてぞなく
- Roma-ji
-
Omoiizuru Tokiwa no yama no hototogisu
karakurenai no furiidete zo naku - English Translation
-
When I call to mind,
Mount Tokiwa’s cuckoo
cries out aloud,
as though crimson dye were
poured forth from its breast.
- Meaning
- When I recall the past, the cuckoo of Mount Tokiwa cries out, as though pouring forth deep crimson.
- Commentary
-
Book III, Summer Poems
The poem depicts the cuckoo crying in the mountains, composed with poetic artifice.
“Tokiwa” serves as a pivot word, referring both to Mount Tokiwa and to constancy.
“Crimson dye” evokes the image of dye being poured out, suggesting the cuckoo crying as if it were shedding blood.
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
- Other
-
- When I hear the cry of the cuckoo calling, I am drawn to think of the home I left behind, and long for it again.
- Cuckoo, you cry in so many villages, so many places— though I am drawn to you, still I find you wearisome.
- Your voice I hear, but never see your tears, o cuckoo crying— take, then, my sleeves instead, soaked through with falling tears.
- From mountain depths, the cuckoos come and cry, one after another— as though asking aloud, who among them surpasses all.