Basho's "The icy sound of the monks' clogs"
by Frank Watson
Water-Drawing Ceremony
And the icy sound
Of the monks’ clogs

水取りや氷の僧の沓の音

Mizu-tori ya
Kouri no sou no
Kutsu no oto

Literal

Water take/draw
Ice ’s monk ’s
Clog/shoe ’s sound

Water draw = Water Drawing Ceremony, around March. The character for water (水) is reinforced as an element of ice (氷) and clogs(沓) while the element for day (日) is repeated in monk (僧), clogs (沓), and sound (音). Kouri and sou also share a long “ou” sound.


All writings and translations are Copyright © by Frank Watson, also writing as "Blue Flute" (2011-2014).
Year: 
2011