One Man's Maple Moon: Picture Scroll Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

rewinding

a picture scroll of memory –

could I relive

those happy days

with my dog

White Flowers in the Sky, 2005

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

倒帶

一段記憶的影像捲軸 —

我能否重溫

那些快樂的日子

陪伴我的狗

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

倒带

一段记忆的影像卷轴 —

我能否重温

那些快乐的日子

陪伴我的狗

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Lonely Color Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

a lonely color is

rain on roofs reflecting

evening twilight

this train

has a destination

White Flowers in the Sky, 2005

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

孤獨的顏色

是雨水落在屋頂上映照

傍晚的暮色

這列火車

有一個目的地

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

孤独的颜色

是雨水落在屋顶上映照

傍晚的暮色

这列火车

有一个目的地

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Shooting Star Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

in the wake

of a shooting star

a brightness

resembling love

shines in me awhile

White Flowers in the Sky, 2005

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

一顆流星

劃過天際之後

一道光芒

如愛般

在我心中閃耀片刻

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

一颗流星

划过天际之后

一道光芒

如爱般

在我心中闪耀片刻

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Burden Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

there is no way

but that one carries

one’s own burden

I walk

in the dimness of day

Eucalypt, 3, 2008

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

別無選擇

只能背負

自己的重擔

我行走

在昏暗的白晝

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

别无选择

只能背负

自己的重担

我行走

在昏暗的白昼

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Stillness Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

the stillness

of these rocks

covered in snow --

sipping green tea

I gaze and gaze

One Moment at a Time, 2022

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

這些

被雪覆蓋岩石

的寂靜

品嚐綠茶

我凝視又凝視

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

这些

被雪覆盖岩石

的寂静

品尝绿茶

我凝视又凝视

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Sweet Ether Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

words stray

and float in the space 

of sweet ether

between the moon in the sky

and the moon in the pond

Gusts, 36, Fall/Winter 2022

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

言語遊蕩

並漂浮在天上月亮

和池塘裡的月亮之間

甜美氣氛

的空間裡

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

言语游荡

并漂浮在天上月亮

和池塘里的月亮之间

甜美气氛

的空间里

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Words and Bee Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

tree to tree

I go seeking for words

to express my heart

more vividly -- only a bee

bumbling among leaves

Ribbons, 18:3, Fall 2022

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

從一棵樹到另一棵

我在尋找文字

能夠有聲有色地

表達我的心意 -- 只有一隻蜜蜂

在樹葉間翻滾

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

从一棵树到另一棵

我在寻找文字

能够有声有色地

表达我的心意 -- 只有一只蜜蜂

在树叶间翻滚

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: White Sails Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

I stretch

my arms to the sea

as if I unfurl

white sails --

the sea sings a requiem

Ribbons, 18:1, Winter 2022

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

伸展我的雙臂

走向大海

如同展開

一片片白帆 --

大海唱著安魂曲

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

伸展我的双臂

走向大海

如同展开

一片片白帆 --

大海唱着安魂曲

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Edge Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

watching a leaf

trembling at the edge 

of a twig

I sit alone on the bench 

by the pond

Gusts, 35, Spring/Summer 2021

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

一片葉子

在一根樹枝的邊緣

不停地顫動

坐在池塘邊的板凳

我獨自一人注視

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

一片叶子

在一根树枝的边缘

不停地颤动

坐在池塘边的板凳

我独自一人注视

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Sleep and Death Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

fallen into sleep

as if drawn to the bottom

of the water

I store one night's worth

of death within me

Gusts, 20, Fall/Winter  2014

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

沉睡了

彷彿被拉到河水

的底層

我的內心深處存有

一晚的死亡

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

沉睡了

仿佛被拉到河水

的底层

我的内心深处存有

一晚的死亡

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Dapple Color Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

the edge

of maple leaves is red

the rest, still green

the dapple color

of my heart

Gusts, 32, Fall/Winter  2020

Aya Yuhki 


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

楓葉的邊緣

是紅色

其餘, 仍然是綠色

這是我內心

的斑駁顏色

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

枫叶的边缘

是红色

其余, 仍然是绿色

这是我内心

的斑驳颜色

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Corridor of My Heart Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

in the corridor
of my heart
voices began to chatter
like the sound of a dripping tap
in an empty house

Ardea, 4, 2014

Aya Yuhki 


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

在我內心
的走廊
有聲音開始喋喋不休
就像在一個空屋裡
水龍頭不斷滴水的聲音

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

在我内心
的走廊
有声音开始喋喋不休
就像在一个空屋里
水龙头不断滴水的声音 


Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Deep Forest Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

absence and yearning

nowhere to be reached --

white veils of waterfall

in the deep forest

begin to hide myself

Ribbons, 16:1,  Winter 2020

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional) 

缺席與想望

無處可尋 --

在森林深處

瀑布的白色面紗

開始隱藏我自己

Chinese Translation (Simplified) 

缺席与想望

无处可寻 --

在森林深处

瀑布的白色面纱

开始隐藏我自己

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Insomniac Poet Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

an insomniac poet

looking for words at midnight --

through the window

a tower glazed with rain

at the end of town

Gusts, 31, Spring/Summer 2020

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional) 

失眠的詩人

在午夜尋找書寫材料 --

眼望窗外

看到在小鎮的盡頭

被雨水洗淨的塔樓

Chinese Translation (Simplified) 

失眠的诗人

在午夜寻找书写材料 --

眼望窗外

看到在小镇的尽头

被雨水洗净的塔楼

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Hustle & Bustle Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

walking along

Oxford street in hustle

and bustle

on a Friday night in summer

even after I come back to Japan

Ripples in the Sand, 2016

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional) 

即使回到日本之後
我還記得在夏天
的一個星期五夜晚
沉浸喧囂熙攘中
我漫步在牛津街上

Chinese Translation (Simplified) 

即使回到日本之后
我还记得在夏天
的一个星期五夜晚
沉浸喧嚣熙攘中
我漫步在牛津街上

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Flaring Sea Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

I place
my own self "today"
on a bench
facing the flaring sea
in the setting sun

Gusts, 27, Spring/Summer 2018

Aya Yuhki


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

我將自身“今天”
放置
在長凳上
面對夕陽之下
耀眼的大海

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

我将自身“今天”
放置
在长凳上
面对夕阳之下
耀眼的大海


Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Strips of Crimson Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

gazing
at the strips of crimson
in the evening sky ...
alone, I fold away
the shadows inside me

Aya Yuhki


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

凝視
傍晚天空中數條帶狀
的深紅雲彩 ...
獨自一人，我將內心的陰影
打包帶走

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

凝视
傍晚天空中数条带状
的深红云彩 ...
独自一人，我将内心的阴影
打包带走 


Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: White Wishing Stones Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

I threw away
white wishing stones
given by islanders
of Cambodia
into the sea with my wish

Gusts, 28, Fall/Winter 2018

Aya Yuhki


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

柬埔寨島民
給我一些白色的許願石
我把它們
和我的願望
一起投入大海

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

柬埔寨岛民
给我一些白色的许愿石
我把它们
和我的愿望
一起投入大海


Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Same Sunny Spot Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

my dog and wild pigeons
share the same sunny spot
a day
when I am grieving
over racial conflict

Gusts, 4, Fall/Winter 2006

Aya Yuhki


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

這一天
當我為種族衝突
而悲傷時
我的狗和一群野鴿
共享一塊陽光普及之處

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

这一天
当我为种族冲突
而悲伤时
我的狗和一群野鸽
共享一块阳光普及之处 


Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man's Maple Moon: Empty House Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

in the corridor
of my heart
voices began to chatter
like the sound of a dripping tap
in an empty house

Ardea, 4, 2014

Aya Yuhki


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

在我內心
的走廊
有聲音開始喋喋不休
就像在一個空屋裡
水龍頭不斷滴水的聲音

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

在我内心
的走廊
有声音开始喋喋不休
就像在一个空屋里
水龙头不断滴水的声音 


Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.