No.8 A Buddhist's Reflection
The name of the place Kisen lived (Mount Uji) is similar in pronunciation to the word for gloom or sorrow (“ushi”). Hōshi is a title of rank more or less equivalent to “Priest.”
A Buddhist’s Reflection
Lowly hut is mine
South-east from the capital:–
Thus I choose to dwell;–
And the world in which I live
Men have named a “Mount of Gloom.”
Kisen Hōshi (Hōshi (Priest) Kisen)
Waga io wa
Miyako no tatsumi
Shika zo sumu
Yo wo Uji yama to
Hito wa iu nari.
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.9 Vanity Of Vanities
No.7 A Thought of Home