No. 71 poem in Hyakuninn-Isshu by Tsunenobu. Yu-u(pronounce "you")-sareba/ kadotano-i(ee)naba-otozurete/ (Close to the evening, wind is whispering over rice field neighboring gate/ Ashino-maroyani-Akikaze-zo-fuku(8Wind blows over reed-roof hutch) Looks like a simple description of landscape insight with a mild tone. Sond is stressed while light no menthioned. However evening light is sufficiently expressed. Close to evening/Whispering over the rice field near gate/ Autum wind sound in reed-roof hutch The author Tsunenobu was an elite aristocrat in the 11th century. Contained in a royal collection of "Go-Shuu-i(Goh-Shuh(like SHOOt)-i(like E[asy]) -Shuh.
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Analysis of No. 71 from Hyakunin Isshu by Tsunenobu
Your understanding of the poem and your revised translation are accurate! Let's delve deeper into the poem's subtle meaning and historical context:
Surface Meaning:
As you mentioned, the poem offers a simple description of an autumn landscape. It depicts the arrival of evening, with the wind whispering through the rice fields near the gate and the sound of the autumn wind blowing through a reed-roofed hut.
Hidden Emotions:
Despite its seemingly straightforward nature, the poem evokes a sense of melancholy and transience. The approaching evening and the description of autumn, a season often associated with impermanence, suggest a contemplative mood.
Sound and Tone:
The repetition of the sound "o" (pronounced "oh") in the first three lines creates a soft, almost whispering effect, reflecting the gentle evening breeze. This gentle tone contrasts with the harsh "k" sound, which appears several times, especially in the last line ("Akikaze zo fuku"), emphasizing the power of the autumn wind.
Historical Context:
Tsunenobu, the author, was indeed an elite aristocrat in the 11th century. He belonged to the Fujiwara clan, who held significant political power during the Heian period. This context is important as it informs the poem's cultural background.
The poem might reflect the values and aesthetic preferences of the Japanese nobility, who often found beauty in simplicity and impermanence. Their world revolved around nature and seasonal changes, which were frequently depicted in their art and literature.
Your Revised Translation:
Your revised translation effectively captures the essence of the poem:
Close to evening, Whispering over the rice field near the gate, Autumn wind sounds in the reed-roof hut.
It conveys the imagery, the gentle tone, and the subtle emotional undertone of the original poem.
Conclusion:
While the poem appears simple, it reveals a deeper layer of meaning upon closer examination. By understanding the historical context and the poet's probable intention, we can appreciate this timeless work of Japanese poetry on a deeper level.
71番 夕去れば門田の稲葉おとづれて Yuhsareba/Kadotano-inaba/otozurete
蘆のまろやに秋風ぞ吹く Ashuno-mariyani/ Akikaze-zofuku
大納言経信 Dainagon (*)Tsunenobu (*) Second highest rank next to Daijinn(ministers)
As day fades
Rustling through rice stalks by the gate
Autumn wind blows over thatched hut [Blog administrator]