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.
No. 11 An Exile's Farewell
No.9 Vanity Of Vanities