昨日といひけふと暮らして明日香川
流れてはやき月日なりけり
流れてはやき月日なりけり
- Roma-ji
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Kinō to ii kyō to kurashite Asukagawa
nagarete hayaki tsukihi narikeri - English Translation
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saying “yesterday”
and living through this day as well—
like Asuka River
ever flowing swift and on
so pass the days and passing months
- Meaning
- Calling it yesterday, and passing today as today—like the Asuka River, how swiftly the days and months flow on.
- Commentary
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Book Six Winter Poems
This poem was composed at the end of the year.
Asuka River refers to the river flowing through the Asuka region of Nara. With the sequence “yesterday – today – tomorrow,” the word “tomorrow” is playfully rendered as “Asuka River,” creating a rhythmic wordplay that likens the swift passage of time to the rapid flow of a river.
- Author
- Harumichi no Toshi
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
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