春雨は降りしむれども鶯の
声はしをれぬものにぞありける
声はしをれぬものにぞありける
- Roma-ji
-
Harusame wa furishimuredomo uguisu no koe wa shiorenu mono ni zo arikeru
- English Translation
-
Though the rain of spring
falls and soaks through everything,
the warbler's singing
does not wilt beneath the wet,
so it is, I have found
- Meaning
- Though the spring rain falls and soaks through everything, the warbler's song, I find, is something that never wilts.
- Commentary
-
Book One Spring Poems 16
Amid a spring rain that leaves everything drenched and drooping, the poet delights that the warbler's voice alone keeps its vigor. It is a witty poem that treats an invisible voice as if it were a thing the rain could soak.
The author, Toshiyori, is Minamoto no Toshiyori. A son of Minamoto no Tsunenobu, he compiled this anthology, the Kin'yōwakashū, at the command of Retired Emperor Shirakawa, and is known for his innovative style.
First line, 'harusame wa', presents the soft, steady rain of spring.
Second line, 'furishimuredomo', means although it falls and soaks in; shimu is to seep in, to drench through.
Third line, 'uguisu no', names the subject; this poem closes the sequence on the warbler.
Fourth line, 'koe wa shiorenu', contains shiorenu, does not wilt; plants and robes droop in the rain, but the voice does not, which is the wit of the poem.
Final line, 'mono ni zo arikeru', pairs zo with the attributive keru, expressing the exclamation of discovery.
- Author
- Minamoto no Toshiyori
- Source
- Kinyo Wakashu
- Prev Poem
-
Uguisu no kozutau sama mo yukashiki ni ima hitokoe wa akehatete nake
- Next Poem
-
Ume no hana niou atari wa yokite koso isogu michi o ba yukubekari kere