Masaoka Shiki -- "The Emperor's Era"
by Frank Watson
The Emperor’s era

Is now two thousand

Five hundred fifty four years!


紀元二千五百五十四年なり


Kigen ni-sen-

Go-hyaku-go-juu-yon

Nen nari


Literal

Era two-thousand

Five-hundred-fifty-four

Year becomes


Japan’s first Emperor is said to have begun his reign in 660 BC. Shiki wrote this haiku for the New Year in 1894 AD, an imperial reign of 2,554 years.


All writings and translations are Copyright © by Frank Watson, also writing as "Blue Flute" (2011-2014).
Year: 
2012