Saku Miyakawa
Today, I introduce one of my favorite poems to you. I major art history of the western countries in this university, but honestly I`m interested in the philosophy and the literature of the world. So I study and read books about these field by myself. Especially about poems, It`s one of the old habits for me to read some poems everyday. I think to talk about poems is to talk about me to you.
On the Quiet Rainy Night
(written by Tanikawa Shuntaro/ translated into English by W.I.Eliot and Kawamura Kaduo)
I`d like to go on just sitting here.
Hearing fresh surprises and sorrows quietly sinking down,
indulging in the odor of God without believing in God,
gathering fallen leaves from city streets in a faraway land,
steeping myself in the magic lantern of past and future,
trusting in a soft sofa on the blue sea,
and, above all else,
loving myself boundlessly.
I`d like to go on just sitting here by myself.
This poem is made by Tanikawa Shuntaro who is one of the greatest poets in Japan.A lot of his poems are translated into English and other language and read in the world. On the Quiet Rainy Night is made in 1950 when Tanikawa was 19 years old. And this poem is contained in his first poetical works, Two Billion Light-Years of Solitude.
How do you feel this ? I will be glad to hear something you feel honestly.
P.S.
I`m sorry I don`t attach any picture or animation in this Blog#1. I`m afraid you are tired to read. I`m going to attach something next time.
Take a look at my post on Film Studies Group P. You should force students to read and read and read. Tired? No ma'am, definitely not.
ReplyDeletePoetry translated is even more fraud than your average translation, don't you think? Japanese poetry translated into English, and vice versa for that matter, just don't sound right. You don't get the same exact image, the same exact phonological feeling, and it just bugs me on the intuitive level. Don't you think translated poetry is desacralization?
Thank you for your reply.Oh, I understand what you say but I rather like and enjoy the new image of the poetry translated.And I like to examine the differance of the sound of the english and japanese,by repeating loudly.I think it is good for my english in the course of this.(Saku)
DeleteI have known Tanikawa Shuntaro since I was junior high school student. In my junior high school, a musical contest was held. Then, one of the choices we can sing was the song by Tanikawa Shuntaro named “春に”. I like this song because it was a pure poem at first then made to a song so I was impressed by the words. (I’m very sorry but our class didn’t sing this song.)I had never heard that his poem is translated to English before. I like his Japanese poem but his English poem is beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteNow I’m interested in his poem. But his poem is too many to choose. Please tell me your favorite the corrected poems of him if you like. (By Yoshiko)
Thank you for your reply.I also listened 春に in my junior high school musical festibal.Me too,I like that.I used to sing alone on the way home in thosedays.
DeleteI`ll tell you some of my favarite poem of Tanikawa Shuntaro in japanese before long,I promice.(Saku)
Hello!Saku! I havn't know that many poems of Tanikawa Shuntaro was translated into English. I think that this poem is sorrow. I notice "Hearing fresh surprises and sorrows quietly sinking down,". I feel that fresh surprises and sorrows isn't only quiently sinking but also bright and start. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteThank you a wonderful poem, Saku.(Satoru)
Change your title to: One of my favorite poems
ReplyDeleteCapitalize japan and english. Why do you like this poem so much? Tell me your opinion first, and then I will tell you mine.
Ms. MacGregor
Thank you for your advice, Ms.MacGregor.
DeleteI like this poem because I like quiet feeling of affirmation in this poem.
Saku