of the copper pheasant's tail,
its long trailing tail,
how much longer is this night
I must also sleep alone?
Folkloric Background
In Japanese folklore mountain fowl are said to sleep alone, with pairs seperated at night on opposite slopes of the mountainside - hence the poets reference to himself sleeping alone 'also/too'.
あしびきの
山鳥の尾の
しだり尾の
ながながし夜を
ひとりかもねむ
Kakinomoto Hitomaro
Romaji & crib:
ashibiki no (pillow-word modifier of mountain, peak)
foot/leg drag | of
yamadori no o no
mountain fowl |of | tail | of
shidari o no
drooping/trailing | tail | of
naganagashi yo o
long, long so | night | acc. particle
hitori ka mo nemu
alone | do | also | sleep
