IZUMI SHIKIBU: ANOTHER JAPANESE POET

crates — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:44:07 +0000

IZUMI SHIKIBU: ANOTHER JAPANESE POET

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed to make sure you don't miss a thing on texified! Post from: texified

I am always on the lookout for poems that I like. I find that Japanese poets often provide the succinct but poignant quality that appeals to me. Here are some poems of Izumi Shikibu which I like. I had never heard of this particular lady until somebody told me about her. She lived around the year 1000 in Heian Japan and became one of the celebrated court ladies of this time, living an unconventional sort of life, taking many lovers and writing poetry.

Out of the dark,
Into a dark path
I now must enter:
Shine [on me] from afar
Moon of the mountain fringe

Another version (thanks to T):

The way I must enter

leads through darkness to darkness-

O moon above the mountains’ rim,

Please shine a little further

on my path

                                             Is it only I
                                             Who will hold you in my thoughts?
                                              How terrible,
                                              That you, my destination
                                               Should not know at all.

In Autumn,
Unwracked by cares
The reed fronds too
Hang heavy at the tips
With dewfall upon them.

                                                                        I’m at such a loss;
                                                                        Fireflies by the marsh:
                                                                        From my breast
                                                                        Wanders out
                                                                        My soul, or so it seems.
Folk their hearts
Exchange for love;
As moths
Plainly will be burnt,
Yet they see it not

texified » Izumi Shikibu

IZUMI SHIKIBU: ANOTHER JAPANESE POET