No.10 At The Ōsaka Barrier

Late 9th century. Semimaru was a blind musician and beggar believed to have been a prince. He also wrote two highly regarded plays as well as other waka.

At The Ōsaka Barrier

Truly, this is where  
 Travelers who go or come  
 Over parting ways,–  
 Friends or strangers,–all must meet;  
 ‘Tis the gate of “Meeting Hill.”

Semimaru (Semimaru)

Kore ya kono  
 Yuku mo kaeru mo  
 Wakarete wa  
 Shiru mo shiranu mo  
 Ausaka no seki.

About this poetry

At Salty Dog Digital we’ve decided to gradually republish Clay MacCauley’s translation of Single Songs of a Hundred Poets – a collection of japanese poetry from the seventh through thirteenth centuries. Sixty four of these poems are the rewards in our game fourtex zen.

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Kibbles counter and marketer! Louise makes sure the paperwork eventually gets done.
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