A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa
 
(June 15, 1931)

 
     
  おもふどち 三十余りの人つれて 房州 に向け都たつ今朝
28

Accompanied by
Some thirty like-minded
Persons, we left the
Capital, headed for
Boshu this morning.

S5-162A, page 7; S2-34A おもうどち 三十余りの人々と 房州に向け両国駅たつ In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” in June 15, 1931, Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #1, July 1, 1931.
    S2-34A translation
Thirty-some like- / Minded persons set / Off from Ryogoku / Station heading for / The Boshu district.  
 
 
  朝まだき 野辺ぬいながら自動車は 麓 の茶屋へはや着きにけり
29

The taxi quickly arrived
At the mountain-side tea
House after threading its
Way through the
Still-dark predawn fields.

S5-162B, page 7; S2-34D 月のなき 闇路を衝いて自動車は 麓の茶屋へ安く着きけり. In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931 in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #4, July 1, 1931.
    S2-34D translation
Piercing through the / Pitch black road on a night / With no moon, the taxi / Easily arrived at the / Mountain-side tea house.
 
 
  提灯の かそけき光にとぼとぼと 石の 階段ようやく登りぬ
30

The faint
Light of the lantern
Flickers as we finally
Arrive at the top of
The stone steps.

S5-162C, page 8; S2-34E 提灯の かそけき灯光にとぼとぼと 石の階段登りゆくかな In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931 Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #5, July 1, 1931; previous S5-162C translation, The Light from the East, Volume 1, page 156.
      S2-34E translation
The faint / Light of the lantern / Flickers as / We climb / The stone steps. 
 
      The Light from the East translation
By the dim light / Of the lanterns / We wobbled along, / Climbing the stone stairs, / Till we finally reach the top.
 
 
    鋸山 麓すぐればあくがれの 日本寺の 門いかめしくたてる
31  

As we passed
The foot of Mt. Nokogiri,
The gate of the
Great respected temple
Nihon-ji proudly stands.

S5-162D, page 8; S2-35A 鋸山 中腹にある日本寺に 入れば時計は十時半打つ In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931 Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2,  #6, July 1, 1931; previous S5-162D translation, The Light from the East, Volume 1, page 157.
      S2-35A translation
As we arrive at / Nihon-ji Temple half- / Way up Nokogiri mountain, / The clock strikes / Half past ten.
 
      The Light from the East translation
Putting behind us / The foot of Mount Nokogiri, / We found ourselves drawn / To the temple gate Nihon-ji, / A most imposing edifice.
 
 
    山寺の 畳ひろびろし夜の眼にも 古り しけはいの床しかりける
32  

The wide expanse of the
Straw mats in the
Mountain temple is a
Modest repose of antiquity
Even in the eyes of the night.

S5-162E, page 8; S2-35B 山寺の 広々として夜の眼にも あたりの古式色床しく見えけり In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931 Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2,  #7, July 1, 1931; previous S5-162E translation, The Light from the East, Volume 1, page 157.
      S2-35B translation
The wide expanse of / The mountain temple / Venerably appears / In the eyes / Of the night.
 
      The Light from the East translation
The mountain temple / With its spacious rooms / Even at night / Offers comfort and attraction / In an old-fashioned sort of way.
 
 
    藁葺の わびしくも建つ風呂につかり  汗を流してほと甦がえる
33  

Dipping into the bath tub
Of the solitary, straw-thatched hut,
We bathed
And completely
Refreshed ourselves. 

S5-163A, page 8; S2-35C 藁葺の いとも康末な風呂に入り 汗を流せば甦りける In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2,  #8, July 1, 1931; previous S5-163A translation, The Light from the East, Volume 1, page 157.
      S2-35C translation
Getting into a crude bath / Tub in a straw- thatched / Hut, greatly refreshed / We feel as the dirt of / Travel washes away
 .
      The Light from the East translation
With a thatch roof it was / Crude, indeed, but taking a bath / And washing away the sweat / Made us feel / As if coming back to life.
 .
 
    禅寺の 夜は深々と更けわたり 話り合 ひつつ果つべくもなし
34  

Ever deepens night
At the Zen temple
As deepens
Our discussion
With no end in sight.

S5-163B, page 8; S2-35D  禅寺の 夜は深々と更けわたり 話の興は果つべくもなし In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931 Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #9, July 1, 1931; previous S5-163B translation, The Light from the East, Volume 1, page 157.
      S2-35D translation
Ever deepens night / At the Zen temple / With no end / In sight to our / Fascinating conversation.
 
      The Light from the East translation
At the Zen temple / Deeper and deeper / Night is advancing, / And we talk on and one, / As if it might never end.
 
 
    足弱き 人は居残り二十余の 人をひき つれ山に向ひぬ
35  

Leaving behind
Those with weak legs,
I lead a party of some twenty
Persons, heading
Up the mountain.

S5-163C, page 9; S2-36C 足弱き 人等居残り山登る 一行二十五人寺出づ In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa, June 15, 1931, Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #13, July 1, 1931.
      S2-36C translation
Leaving behind / Those with weak legs, / A party of twenty-five persons / To ascend the mountain / Departs the temple.
 
 
    足曳きの 山路の闇をかきわけて 提灯 の灯をたよりに登りぬ
36  

Pushing through the dark,
Tortuous mountain path,
Guided by the
Light of lanterns,
We climb the mountain.

S5-163D, page 9; S2-36D 足曳きの 闇の山路を勇ましく 提灯の灯を頼りに登るも In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #14, July 1, 1931; previous S5-163D translation, The Light from the East, Volume 1, page 158.
      S2-36D translation
Boldly we climb, / Guided by the light of / The lanterns, the / Dark, tortuous / Mountain path.
 
The Light from the East translation
Along the winding trail / On the pitch-black mountain path, / We all made our way / With the light of our lanterns / To guide us on our ascent.
 
    漸くに 乾坤山の巓に 登ればほのぼの 物の見え初む
37  

Finally, as we ascend the
Summit of Mount
Heaven and Earth,
Objects start to
Faintly appear around us.

S5-163E, page 9; S2-36E 漸くに 乾坤山の巓に 登ればほのぼのあたり見え初む In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #15, July 1, 1931.
      S2-36E translation
Finally, as we ascend the / Summit of Mount / Heaven and Earth, / The area starts to / Faintly appear around us.
 
    東の 空山影のきくやかに 曲線ひきて 海につづける
38  

From the eastern sky
The light beams
Over the mountains and
Continue over the sea
Describing a curve. 

S5-164A, page 9; S2-37A 東の 山の端の影茜さし 棚引く雲の金の色かな In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #16, July 1, 1931.
      S2-37A translation
As crimson shines on the / Edge of the mountains / In the east, / The trailing clouds / Are such a gold color!
 
    朝霧の はれゆくままに遠近の 海も見 え初め山も浮みぬ
39  

How refreshing,
As the morning mist clears,
Near and far, the ocean
Starts to become visible and the
Mountains float on the clouds.

S5-164B, page 9; S2-37B 朝霧の はれゆくまゝに遠近の 海山見えて清しかりける In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #17, July 1, 1931.
      S2-37B translation
How refreshing, / As the morning mist / Clears, near and far / Mountain and sea / Come into view.
 
    房総の 眠れる島も山並も あざやかに しつ日は昇りけり
40  

The sleeping islands and
Range of mountains
Of Boso shine
Clearly against
The rising sun.

S5-164C, page 10; S2-37C 房総の 眠れる島山はるかにて 身は天空にある思ひすも In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #18, July 1, 1931.
      S2-37C translation
Far in the distance, the / Sleeping mountain islands of / Boso make me feel / I am floating / In the sky overhead.
 
    山頂は 十州一覧台とかや 実にもその名のふさわしかりぬ
41  

The mountain summit
Is called “Ten Province
Lookout” and
Truly fitting
Is that name.

S5-164D, page 10; S2-38A 山頂は 十州一覧台とかや 実にも其名のふさはしきかな In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #21, July 1, 1931.
    灯台の 灯は朝靄のたちこむる 底にかそけく明滅なせり
42  

The beams of the
Lighthouse faintly
Flicker down below
In the thick
Morning mist. 

S5-164E, page 10; S2-38C 観音崎 灯台の灯は朝霧の たちこむ中に明滅なし居り In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #23, July 1, 1931.
      S2-38C translation
The beams of the / Lighthouse at / Kannon Point / Flicker admist / The thick morning mist.
 
    水墨の 絵を見るが如海の面の 島かげはるか小舟もやえる
43  

As if viewing a monochrome
Painting, the faint outline
Of the island on the surface
Of the sea, appears with
Small boats moored together.

S5-165A, page 10; S2-38D 箱庭の 景色見る如海の面の 島かげ点々片舟の見ゆ In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #24, July 1, 1931.
      S2-38D translation
As if viewing the scenery / Of a miniature garden, / Little skiffs dot the surface of / The ocean on which the vague / Outline of the islands appear.
 
    昇る陽に あたり隈なく明けぬれば 一行下山の途につきにけり
44  

As the rising sun brightens
Every corner of the area
The party arrives at
The path to start the
Descent of the mountain.

S5-165B, page 10; S2-38E 昇る陽に あたり全く明けぬれば 一行下山の途にぞつきけり In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #25, July 1, 1931.
      S2-38E translation
As the rising sun / Brightens the area ever more / The party arrives at / The path to start the / Descent of the mountain.
 
  山間の 岩窟の中に畏くも 羅漢の像の数かず立てる
45 

In the ravines of
The mountain
Augustly stand
Numerous statues
Of arhats.

S5-165C, page 11; S2-39A 山間の 岩窟の中に石造の 羅漢の像の数多立ち居り In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #26, July 1, 1931. 
   S2-39A translation
In the ravines of / The mountain / Stand many / Stone statues / Of arhats.
 
  百あまる 石の観音釈迦如来 達磨や諸仏在します山
46 

The mountain that has
More than a hundred
Stone Kannons, Shaka
Thathagatas, Boddhidharmas,
And all the buddhas.

S5-165D, page 11; S2-39C 百体の 石造観音釈尊や 達磨の像に諸菩薩在るすも MO. In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #28, July 1, 1931.
   S2-39C translation
Among the hundreds of / Stone statues of Kannon, / Sakyamuni, and Bodhidarma, / Are also those of / All the Boddhisattvas.
 
  沙羅双樹 はじめもも木の生ひ茂み 海圍むなり乾坤の山
47 

Along with the sala
All kinds of trees
Luxuriantly grow
Surrounded by the sea on
Mount Heaven and Earth.

S5-165E, page 11; S2-39D 沙羅双樹 はじめもろもろ珍木の 生ひ茂るなり乾坤の山 In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #29, July 1, 1931.
   S2-39D translation
Along with the sala / All kinds of unusual / Varieties of trees / Grow luxuriantly on / Mount Heaven and Earth.
 
  開山の 行基菩薩の刻むとふ 薬師如来の御姿とほとき
48 

Precious the appearance
Of the Tathagata
Buddha of Healing
Carved by the
Temple’s founder Gyogi.

S5-166A, page 11; S2-39E 開山の 行基菩薩の刻むとふ 薬師如来の木像ありけり In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #30, July 1, 1931.
   S2-39E translation
There was a wooden / Statue of the Tathagata / Buddha of Healing / Carved by the / Temple’s founder Gyogi.
 
  そのむかし 光明皇后の勅に 行基菩薩のひらかれし刹
49 

The temple founded
By Priest Gyoki, based
On decree by the
August Empress Bright
Light long, long ago.

S5-166B, page 11; S2-40A 畏くも 光明皇后の勅に 行基の開きし日の本の寺 In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #31, July 1, 1931.
   S2-40A translation
Based on decree by / The august Empress / Bright Light, Priest Gyoki / Founded the Temple of / The origin of the sun.
 
  十一面 観音ませり古きころ 慈覚大師の刻みしものとう
50 

It was said that, in old
Times, the Eleven-faced
Kannon was carved by
The Great Master
Compassionate Awakening.

S5-166C, page 12; S2-40B 十一面 観音の尊像は其昔 慈覚大師の刻みしものとか In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #32, July 1, 1931.
   S2-40B translation
It is said that the sacred / Statue of the Eleven-faced Kannon / Was carved by / The Great Master / Compassionate Awakening.
 
  山寺の 田舎料理に舌打ちし この味こそは忘れがたなき
51 

The mountain temple’s
Country cooking didn’t
Look like much, but
Its taste was simply
Unforgettable. 

S5-166D, page 12; S2-40C 山寺の 田舎料理の朝飯は 都の珍味佳肴に勝れり In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #33, July 1, 1931.
   S2-40C translation
The country cuisine of / The breakfast at the / Mountain temple / Surpasses any rare, delicious / Tidbit from the city.
 
  眺めよき 海辺選びて建てられし 呑海楼の庭に飽かなき
52 

Drink-Sea-Pavillion,
Built by the sea
For its good view,
We never tire
Of the garden.

S5-166E, page 12; S2-40E 眺めよき 位置を撰びて建てられし 呑海楼と其庭に遊べり In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #35, July 1, 1931.
   S2-40E translation
Drink-Sea-Pavillion, / Chosen and built for the / Location of its good view, / We rest and relax / In the garden.
 
  呑海楼の 芝生の庭に莚のべ 歌会などを開きてたのしむ
53 

Spreading straw mats
Over the lawn of the garden at
Drink-Sea-Pavilion,
We relax and do such things
As hold a poetry party.

S5-167A, page 12; S2-41A 呑海楼の 芝生の庭に莚敷き 即席歌会を開きてたのしむ In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #36, July 1, 1931.
   S2-41A translation
Spreading straw mats / Over the lawn of the garden at / Drink-Sea-Pavilion, / We hold an impromptu / Poetry party and relax.
 
  珍らしき 亀形石や苔のむす 巌の上に老松枝はる
54 

The branches of
An old pine tree
Stretch over the
Tortoise-shaped rock
Covered with moss.

S5-167B, page 12; S2-41B 珍らしき 亀石や奇巌怪石の 間に老松わだかまる庭 In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #37, July 1, 1931.
   S2-41B translation
Between the unusual / Tortoise-shaped and other / Strangely-formed rocks, / Stretch tortuously the / Branches of an old pine tree.
 
  晴れ渡る み空の下に心ゆく ばかり遊びぬ山の上の庭
55 

Under the clear sky
My heart could go
On forever playing
In the garden between
The mountain ridges.

S5-167C, page 13; S2-41D 晴れ渡る み空の下に心ゆく ばかり安居す山間の庭 In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #39, July 1, 1931.
   S2-41D translation
Under the clear sky / My heart could go / On forever resting / In the garden between / The mountain ridges.
 
  那古観音へ 賽したどりし舟形の 観音堂の舟色美きかも
56 

We made an offering
At Nago Kannon, whose
Building has such a
Beautifully red-colored,
Boat-shaped roof.

S5-167D, page 13; S2-42B 那古観音へ 賽し終りて舟形の 観音さして三三五々行く In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931 in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #42, July 1, 1931.
   S2-42B translation
After making an offering / At Nago Kannon, / We stroll in small / Groups around the / Boat-shaped Kannon.
 
  そそり立つ 崕上危ふく観音の 御堂の建てり海ながめよき
57 

Dangerously perched
High atop the towering
Precipice is built the
Kannon Hall with a
Beautiful view of the sea.

S5-167E, page 13; S2-42C 数丈の 崕の上危く赤塗りの 御堂荘厳に建ちて在りけり In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #43, July 1, 1931. 
   S2-42C translation
Several yards high atop a / Dangerous precipice / Solemnly stands the / Sacred Hall / Painted in red.
 
  初夏の 青田に田人忙しき 中をわが汽車ひたに走りつ
58 

Directly through the
Bright green paddies of
Early summer with
Busy farmers
Ran our train.

S5-168A, page 13; S2-43B 初夏の田に 田人忙しく苗植ゑる 中を上りの汽車走り行く SEWASHIKU NAE UERU / NAKA O NOBORI NO KISHA HASHIRI YUKU. In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #47, July 1, 1931.
   S2-43B translation
Directly through the / Paddies of early summer / Where the farmers busily / Plant seedlings runs / The inbound train.
 
  遠近に ゴーガンの絵を見るが如 枇杷の畑の陽にかがよえる
59 

Here and there,
As can be viewed
In a painting by Gauguin,
The sunlight flickers
On the fields of loquat trees.

S5-168B, page 13; S2-43C 此あたり 枇杷の畑の遠近に 見えて早稲田の風にそよぐも In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #48, July 1, 1931.
   S2-43C translation
Among the loquat fields / Of this area / Can be seen gentle / Clouds in the winds / Over the early rice paddies.
 
  そよそよと 青田を渡る風うけて 心地よきかも初夏の旅
60 

Feeling the wind
Blowing gently
Over the green rice paddies,
So pleasant is
A journey in early summer! 

S5-168C, page 14; S2-43D そよそよと 青渡る風吹きて 初夏心地よき汽車の旅かな In a set of poems titled “A Poetic Account of a Journey to Awa,” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, #49, July 1, 1931.
   S2-43D translation
Gently blows / The wind over the green, / Pleasant is the / Feel of the journey by / Train in early summer.
 
  風薫る 青葉の山に安房の海 眺めし旅の忘れがたきも
61 

Difficult it is to forget the
Views during the journey
Of the sea of Awa, with
Breezes full of the scent of the
Fresh verdure of the mountains.

S5-168D, page 14; S2-44A 風薫る 青葉の山に安房の海 眺めし旅の忘れがたしも Rough composition made at a non-scheduled meeting of the Zuiko Society at Drink-Sea-Pavillion in Nihon-ji Temple titled “Journey to Awa” June 15, 1931, in Zuikô, Volume 1, Issue 2, July 1, 1931; previous translation, The Light from the East, Volume 1, page 159.
   The Light from the East translation
In the fragrant breeze / Amid the green mountain leaves / By the Sea of Awa / We have enjoyed a scenic trip, / Which we shall never forget.