As I learn more shodo I find I understand not only the art of the lettering, but also the poetry. Truth be told, I don’t really concentrate on the meaning of the words as I’m writing; I focus on the lines and the composition. But lately, the poems themselves are hitting me in the heart strings. Below are two poems, waka, from the Wakanroueishu, a collection of a poetic text from the middle Heian Period (around the year 1020). It collects Chinese poems, hanbun, and waka. A friend of mine has posted a book review on a book describing the Heian period, if you are interested.
The below are two poems, both waka. The first reads
きみならでたれにかみせむむめの花
いろをもかをもしるひとぞしる – 友則
Or, in a slightly more reader friendly version
君ならで誰にか見せむ梅の花
色をも香をも知る人ぞ知る – 友則
Pronunciation goes:
kiminarade tarenikamisemu mumenohana
irowomokawomo shiruhitozoshiru
My non-scholarly translation:
If I can show this plum blossom to anyone then it’s you,
Only you can truly appreciate the color and fragrance
The second is
いろかをばおもひもいれずむめのはなつ
ねならぬよによそへてぞみる – 華山院御製
Or, in a slightly more reader friendly version
色香をば思ひもいれず梅の花つ
ねならぬ世によそへてぞ見る – 華山院御製
Pronunciation goes:
irokawobaomo himoire zumumenohanatsu
nenaranuyoniyo sohetezomiru
My translation:
Contemplating the loveliness of plum blossoms
Like looking in the ephemeral world
B.S. Donovan 