One hundred poems, one hundred poets. #3

Tiresome mountain trail
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