kozuka

[John A Stuart]

Hi All, I just bought this suaka kozuka and wonder if someone might have a go at the waka poem on the other side. Thanks, John

[k morita]

Hi John

This is very nice Kozuka and Kyoka-poem.

Meaning is "Flying Mr.Sparrow(bird),I don't know where your home(nest),Come here and let's drink Sake together."

(雀ã©ã®(殿)ãŠå®¿ã¯ã©ã“ã‹çŸ¥ã‚‰ã­ã©ã‚‚ãƒãƒ¨ãƒ„ãƒãƒ¨ã¨ã“ã•ã‚Œ(御座れ)ã•ã‚ã®ç›¸æ‰‹ã«).

 

Morita

[k morita]

Hi Johon,

[Nobody]

BTW, the Kyoka (a comic tanka) was composed by Shokusanjin (蜀山人). And the name appears in the second picture.

Ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cta_Nampo

 

Morita-san, you are amazing.

[John A Stuart]

Thank you very much. The poem is by Ota Nampo known as Shokusanjin. He is supposed to be a master of comic verse. The signature on the front is his name Shokusanjin, but, I do not know who made the kozuka. Pretty nice work I agree. If alright with you I shall include your translation when it eventually makes my website. John

 

 

 

Edit: Thank you both. I was writing my reply when the other posts came up. Amazing how that writing can be deciphered, it is so abstract. Great skill. The link was an interesting read. John

[k morita]

Hi John,

Sorry, i was on a biz trip, reply was delayed.

I changed the interpretation and the translation of the poem a little, so please use

this translation of a poem on this posting and a upprer attached photo.

 

Meaning is:

"Flying Mr.Sparrow(bird),I don't know where your home(nest), chiyo chiyo, come here as a drinking partner".

(雀ã¨ã®ãŠå®¿ã¯ã¨ã“ã‹ã—らã­ã¨ã‚‚ã¡ã‚ˆã¡ã‚ˆã“ã•ã‚Œ(御座れ)ã•ã•ã®ç›¸æ‰‹ã«).

 

Nampo implies 3 meanings to "chiyo".

1. Calling.

2. Sound of sparrow twitters.

People in Edo era pronounced the twitter of sparrows as "chiyo" (chirp chirp in English).

Modern Japanese people pronounce not chiyo-chiyo but chun-chun.

3. Another meaning in "chiyo"(åƒä»£) means 1000 years or eternal peace.

The same pronunciation "chiyo" is also used in the national anthem of modern Japan.

 

Best

kiyoshi Morita

[John A Stuart]

Hi Kiyoshi san, Wheels within wheels. A hidden political message, given the times, within a little humourous poem, maybe? Very interesting. Thanks, John