One Man's Maple Moon: Thorn of Flesh Tanka by Fumiko Nakajo

English Original

as if in joy
the oyster bound
by winter kelp
will rise up
a thorn of flesh

Breasts of Snow, 2004

Fumiko Nakajo


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

彷彿在歡樂中
一隻被冬季海帶捆綁
的牡蠣
將會漂浮起來
成為一身肉刺

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

仿佛在欢乐中
一只被冬季海带捆绑
的牡蛎
将会漂浮起来
成为一身肉刺
 

 

Bio Sketch

Fumiko Nakajo (中城ふみ子, 1922-54) was a strong-willed woman who lived a tragic life. She died from breast cancer at the age of 32, just few months after her first collection of 50 tanka, titled Chibusa Soshitsu (The Loss of Breasts), won the first prize in a nationwide contest sponsored by a major magazine. She is, though almost unknown outside of Japan, considered to be the third in the three most famous Japanese female poets in the last century, right up there with Akiko Yosano and Machi Tawara.