Although the Wind - Izumi Shikibu

Although the Wind – Izumi Shikibu

Although the wind blows terribly here, the moonlight also leaks between the roof planks of this ruined house.   by Izumi Shikibu translated by Jane Hirshfield   This poem by Izumi Shikibu, who was one of the greatest female poets of the Heian period in Japan, captures what is, I think, one of the biggest…

Tanka - Saigyō

Tanka – Saigyō

When I consider how in this world all is falling blossom – what then must become of this self?     This world – strung jewels of dew on the frail thread a spider spins   by Saigyō, translated by Meredith McKinney   I find these poems so incredibly potent. In a few words the…