秋の野に道もまどひぬ松虫の
こゑする方に宿やからまし
こゑする方に宿やからまし
- Roma-ji
-
Aki no no ni michi mo madoinu matsumushi no
koe suru kata ni yado ya karamashi - English Translation
-
In autumn fields,
I have lost my way among paths—
toward the cricket’s cry,
perhaps I should make my way
and seek a place to lodge the night.
- Meaning
- In the autumn fields I have lost my way; perhaps I should go toward the sound of the cricket and seek a place to stay.
- Commentary
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Book Four Autumn Poems (Part One)
The poem describes someone who, having wandered in the autumn fields, has lost their way and considers heading toward the sound of crickets to find lodging.
“Matsumushi” refers to what is now called the bell cricket, and carries a wordplay with “to wait.”
One might also read into it the image of a man, lost in life, turning back toward a former lover—but that may be reading too much into it.
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
- Prev Poem
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Kimi shinobu kusa ni yatsururu furusato wa
matsumushi no ne zo kanashikarikeru - Next Poem
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Aki no no ni hito matsumushi no koe su nari
ware ka to yukite iza toburawamu