travel Japanese poetry | Gallery μ — Japanese Calligraphy

“Looking far into the expansive sky,…” by Nakamaro

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 08:56:46 +0000

#141 Looking far into the expansive sky,…

Size：	about 33×24 cm
Dressing：	framed

What verse?

verse:	Ama no hara, furisake mire ba, Kasuga naru, Mikasa no yama ni, ide shi tuki kamo
(imho):	Looking far into the expansive sky, the moon has just risen. When I think about it, when I was still young before leaving for Tang of China, the moon which climed from the edge of the Mikasa mountain in Kasuga was like tonight.
poet:	Abe, Nakamaro
in:	before 770

Mr. Nakamaro, who boarded the Tang ambassador’s ship as an international student, was so talented that he was appointed Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and rose to a high official position. It is said that he wrote this poem at a farewell party when he was finally able to return to Japan after more than 30 years.

Fishermen at Sea — Takamura

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 05:14:00 +0000

#034 Fishermans on the fishing boats, …

Size：	about 17×23 cm
Dressing：	framed

What kind of verse?

verse:	Wata no hara, yaso shima kakete kogi idenu to, hito niha tuge yo, ama no turi bune
(imho):	Fishermans on the fishing boats, please tell residents of the capital that I rowed out into many islands.
poet:	Ono, Takamura
in:	9th century

This poem is similar to that of 031.

Dawn Sky — Awakening Light in Ink

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 04:54:00 +0000

#031 Dawning sky, …

Size：	about 19×25 cm
Dressing：	hanging scroll

What kind of verse?

verse:	Honobono to, Akashi no ura no, asagiri ni, shima kakure yuku, fune wo shi zo omofu
(imho):	Dawning sky, in morning mist at Akashi no Ura, I see ships nestled against islands.
poet:	unknown poet
in:	before 10th century

There might be a secret of ancient Japanese political strife hidden in the background of this poem. The forward says a high rank person created it. The problem is that he was not described in history books officially compiled by the ruling dynasties.