Sunday, May 26, 2019

One Man's Maple Moon: Remaining Years Tanka by Saito Mokichi

English Original

I'm not sure
about my remaining years,
going upstairs
and sleeping
even in the daytime

The Prism of Mokichi, 2013 (trans. by Aya Yuhki et al)

Saito Mokichi


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

不確定
我的餘生將會如何
爬上樓去
即使在大白天
我倒頭就睡

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

不确定
我的余生将会如何
爬上楼去
即使在大白天
我倒头就睡 


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.

1 comment:

  1. The first two lines set the theme and emotional context while the unexpected and poignant last line deepens the existential angst explored in this sentence tanka.

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