THE STORY OF AOYAGI
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Hearn, Lafcadio
Source notes
(1) An ancient province corresponding to the northern part of present-day Ishikawa Prefecture.
(2) An ancient province corresponding to the eastern part of present-day Fukui Prefecture.
[1] The name signifies “Green Willow;”—though rarely met with, it is still in use.
[2] The poem may be read in two ways; several of the phrases having a double meaning. But the art of its construction would need considerable space to explain, and could scarcely interest the Western reader. The meaning which Tomotada desired to convey might be thus expressed:—“While journeying to visit my mother, I met with a being lovely as a flower; and for the sake of that lovely person, I am passing the day here... Fair one, wherefore that dawn-like blush before the hour of dawn?—can it mean that you love me?”
[3] Another reading is possible; but this one gives the signification of the answer intended.
[4] So the Japanese story-teller would have us believe,—although the verses seem commonplace in translation. I have tried to give only their general meaning: an effective literal translation would require some scholarship.