#244 In the faint light of the dawn moon,…
| Size： | approx. 33×24 cm |
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| Dressing： | framed |
About this Waka (Poem)
| verse: | Honobono to, ariake no tsuki no tsuki kage ni, momidi fuki orosu, yamaoroshi no kaze |
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| a humble interpretation: | In the faint light of the dawn moon, the mountain wind blows down, scattering autumn leaves. |
| poet: | Minamoto, Nobuaki |
| in: | 10th century |
Idle Thoughts
This waka adopts the unusual pattern of 5-8-5-8-8, with extra syllables in three of its five phrases
(FYI: the standard waka pattern is 5-7-5-7-7).
Nevertheless, it has been selected for many anthologies of outstanding poems, including Shinsō Hishō and Kindai Shūka, and was even lavishly praised in Masaoka Shiki’s Uta-yomi ni Atauru Sho. From the 10th century through modern times, it has continued to be highly regarded, inspiring multiple derivative poems along the way.
Honestly, for a layperson, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly why this poem stands above others. Yet what makes it remarkable, I believe, is how vividly it evokes the scene. The image unfolds before one’s eyes with striking clarity, and its beauty feels unmistakable.