秋萩をしがらみふせて鳴く鹿の
目には見えずて音のさやけさ
目には見えずて音のさやけさ
- Roma-ji
-
Akihagi o shigarami fusete naku shika no
me ni wa miezu te oto no sayakesa - English Translation
-
Through autumn bush clover,
pushing down the tangled stems,
the stag gives its cry—
though unseen to the watching eye,
its voice rings clear and sharp.
- Meaning
- The stag cries, pushing down the tangled bush clover; though it cannot be seen, its voice sounds clear and distinct.
- Commentary
-
Book Four Autumn Poems (Part One)
The poem first evokes a visual image of bush clover being pressed down as it tangles about the stag, only to deny sight with “though unseen,” and instead emphasize the clarity of the sound heard.
“Shigarami” refers to intertwined branches used to slow a stream, here suggesting clover tangling about the stag’s legs, which it presses down as it moves.
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
- Prev Poem
-
Akihagi ni urabire oreba ashibiki no
yamashita toyomi shika no nakuramu - Next Poem
-
Akihagi no hana sakinikeri Takasago no
onoe no shika wa ima wa nakuramu