Please let me post here the translations of Santoka's poems from
his book, GRASS TREE STUPA (SOMOKUTOH). I intend to deal with ten or so
poems at a time, and continue to go on, picking out my favorites. I hope
you enjoy them expanding your own imaginations, if necessary, when my
translations have the limits.
-------Selected and translated by Takashi Nonin, Matsuymama University,
Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.
Subtitle Japanese Number of Ku
Begging-bowl Hachi-no-ko 91
Alone At Gochu Hermitage Gochu Hitori 47
On the Way To Begging Gyoukotsu Tojoh 42
Going With Mountains,
Going With Water Sangyou Suigyou 103
>From Travel To Travel Tabi Kara Tabi E 38
Scenery of Weeds Zassho Fuukei 72
Persimmon Leaves Kaki No Ha 119
Behind The Guns Jugo 26
Alone And Cold Kokan 83
Travel-minded Tabi Gokoro 36
Craws Karasu 72
Going On A Pilgrimage Henro Ko 57
Grass And Me, All Alone Hitori Issho 163
total 949
Gleaning by Ohyama Sumita Ochibo-shu
1930 77
1931 5
1932 98
1933 153
1934 135
1935 57
1939 49
1940 77
total 651
SUM TOTAL 1600
1. Pine trees
With branches all drooping--
Namu-kanzeon sutra.
(Matsu wa mina/ eda tarete/ namu-kanzeon)
2. Ringing the temple-bell
To the sound of pine trees;
Mornings and evenings.
(Matsukaze ni/ ake kure no/ kane tsuite)
3. Sweeping the yard for a change,
Flowers in the hedge are in bloom.
(Hisashiburini haku/ kakine no hana ga saita)
4. Getting further and further
Into the mountains,
But still deep blue mountains.
(Wakeittemo/ wakeittemo/ aoi yama)
5. Soaked and Soggy to the core,
It's a milestone.
(Shitodo ni nurete/ korewa michishirube no ishi)
6. Under the canopy of scorching heaven
I walk and beg.
(Enten wo itadaite/ koi aruku)
7. Lone craw is cawing;
I'm alone too.
(Karasu naite/ watashi mo hitori)
8. In the midst of life and death
Snow's falling thick and fast.
(Shoji no naka no/ yuki furishikiru)
9. Leaves are falling;
I walk and walk.
(Konoha chiru/ aruki tsumeru)
10. All alone,
Letting mosquitoes bite my flesh.
(Hitoride/ ka ni kuwareteiru)
----------------More will follow next time,
Translated by Takashi Nonin.