The
book is: Laurel Rasplica Rodd,
trans. Kokinshu: A Collection of Poems
Ancient and Modern.
Boston:
Cheng & Tsui, 2004.
This will b a collection of five consecutive poems
from the Kokinshu. Following each poem i will give my annalists of said work.
Book
1- spring 1
1-
Poem
53- p.64- seeing cherry blossoms at Nagisa Villa.
If
this world had never
Known
the ephemeral charms
Of
cherry blossoms
Then
our hearts in spring might match
Nature’s
deep tranquility
Ariwara
No Narihira
1- My interpretation of this poem is
that the author is referring to the Yoshino variety of cherry blossoms. I say this
is the Yoshino was the delicate and valuable form of cherry blossom found in
japan, as opposed to the larger ones found here. It empathizes how highly they
are thought of, not only due to the delicate, but also the for how temporary they
are. This is found when they are described as “ephemeral”, which connects to the
busiest belief of Mujou. Just as Mujou conveys that everything in existence is temporary
and intangible in a sense, so does the fact that the cherry blossom’s arrival
are short lived
2- poem 54- p.64-topic unknown
If only the torrents
Running over the pebbles
Would disappear I
Might cross to pluck a spray of
Cherry blossoms for those at home
Anomalous
2-This poem, similar to some
other spring poems have a peaceful mood to it. The thought of, “If only”,
conveys a sort of calm longing. The longing to experience the cherry blossoms
while they are here. And it isn’t at all a greedy type of longing. It’s
moreover, an understanding that it is a pure sweet beauty that will not last.
Nature itself, the water is stopping him from obtaining the sought after flowers.
But it is accepted and almost expected, because after all, there is no control
over nature, it exists just as humans do.
3- poem- 55-p.64- seeing mountain
cherry blossoms
Shall we be alone
In enjoying these delights-
Sweet cherry blossoms-
Let us gather armfuls to
Carry home as souvenirs
Sosei
3-this poem also describes spring
cherry blossoms in a joyous way. It speaks of taking them home as souvenirs,
which tells me that seeing the cherry blossoms is a type of special occasion to
the people. It also feels sort of romantic. In the sense that Sosei says “Shall
we be alone”. It just feels like a peaceful kind of day, being surrounded by
the lovely annual cherry blossoms, and taking abvantage of their short season
by trying to get armfuls of them.
4- poem 56- p.64-65-seeing the
capital with the cherry blossoms in full bloom
Gazing far ahead
Willow green and cherry pink
Weave a delicate
Brocade of spring so fine
The capital may wear it
sosei
4-in this poem yet again are
cherry blossoms associated with spring. However, much like the seasons are
personified in many Japanese poetry, so is the capital itself. This use of
personification, generalized the pleasure one gets from cherry blossoms by
saying that it would be woven so delicately that the entire city would were it.
That introduces the feeling that everyone would enjoy the sight of the cherry
blossoms, and only increases the appeal of the flowers. In addition, the “Gazing
ahead” line makes the cherry blossoms appear to form a sort of horizon, becoming
Sosei
Toward it.
5- poem57-p.65- Sorrowing over his
age beneath the cherry blossoms
Although the cherry
Blossoms dress in the shades and
Scent of ages past
I who breathe and gaze upon
Them year after year have changed
Ki no Tomonori
5-This poem is showing the transition
which cherry blossoms have on people. Yes, they are temporary and people value
the sight of them when they see them, Tomonori is saying there is a difference.
He views them every year, and still values their beauty. But he is saying that
because he views them every year, he has begun to grow with them and change.
The cherry blossoms have a profound effect in hum and almost help to transcend
him.
Summery- Spring poems tend to be
much calmer and peaceful as opposed to the frozen thoughts and scenery of
winter, sweltering heat of summer, and transition of autumn. The thing that
they really empathize is the cherry blossoms and the Mujou feelings that they
brig. This occurs because everyone knows of the brief delicately of the cherry
blossoms. It bring about a feeling of joy and almost a calm excitement of
having some before they disappear. As mentioned in Tomonori’s “Sorrowing over
his age beneath the cherry blossoms”, we see that the cherry blossoms may even
bring about a transition in ourselves. The spring poems also show a high amount
of personification, enforcing the Buddhist belief that all nature,
animals, and humans are on the same
level of respect and plane of existence.
