Wednesday, July 3, 2019

One Man's Maple Moon: This Sadness Tanka by Saito Mokichi

English Original

somehow
this sadness
looking
at the coarseness of the girl
I'm sleeping with tonight

Red Lights, 1991

Saito Mokichi


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

不知何故
這種悲傷之感浮現
注視
今晚和我一起睡覺
女孩的粗俗舉止

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

不知何故
这种悲伤之感浮现
注视
今晚和我一起睡觉
女孩的粗俗举止


Bio Sketch

Saito Mokichi (May 14, 1882 -- February 25, 1953) was a psychiatrist and one of the most successful practitioners of the new tanka. In 1913, he published Shakko (Red Lights), a book that created a great impression not only on tanka poets but also on the literary world in general. In 1951, he received the Order of Culture.

2 comments:

  1. The upper verse sets the tone and mood while the unexpected yet emotionally powerful lower verse adds poignancy to this middle-of-the-story tanka. And the one-word central line, "looking," is layered with multiple meanings, opening up an interpretative space for the reader's engagement.

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    Replies
    1. The following poem could be read as a prequel to Saito Mokichi's tanka:

      cold wind
      from passing trailer trucks --
      the sex worker
      looks at her reflection
      in a roadside puddle

      Atlas Poetica, 23, 2015

      Chen-ou Liu

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