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A Hundred Verses from Old Japan (The Hyakunin-isshu), tr. by William N. Porter, [1909], at sacred-texts.com


p. 23

23

CHISATO ŌYE

ŌYE NO CHISATO

  Tsuki mireba
Chiji ni mono koso
  Kanashi kere
Waga mi hitotsu no
Aki ni wa aranedo.

THIS night the cheerless autumn moon
  Doth all my mind enthrall;
But others also have their griefs,
  For autumn on us all
  Hath cast her gloomy pall.

Chisato Ōye is said to have lived about the end of the ninth century; he was the son of a Councillor, and a very fertile poet. He was also famous as a philosopher, and acted as tutor to the Emperor Sei-wa, who reigned A.D. 859-876.


Next: 24. Kwan-ke