Page:Japanese Peasant Songs.djvu/51

When It Rains

A characteristic Japanese nature scene in regular dodoitsu form.

47

Ame no tokya yama Yama yama mireba Kiri no kakaranu Yama wa naka[1]

In rain the mountain, If one looks at the mountain, There is no ridge Not covered by mist.

In the Bowl of Water

The bowl of water referred to in this poem is the one used for rinsing the tiny Japanese wine cups during an exchange of drinks. It is usually furnished at a geisha house, but rarely in a farmer’s home. Mizuage is a pivot word. It means literally ‘to lift from the water’ but also has a secondary meaning ‘to take a girl’s virginity’—a term especially used in reference to a young geisha. Thus the line, “Who will lift it from the water?” also may mean “Who will take me for a bride” (ordinary young girl speaking), or “Who will take my virginity?” (neophyte in a geisha house speaking).

The form is a rather unusual one—5-7-7-7-5; cf. Song 36. (The fourth line is irregular in that it has an extra syllable.)

48

Haisen no Naka ni ukabishi Ano sakazuki wa Donata ga mizuage Nasaru yara

In the bowl of water Floats that cup. Who will lift it from the water? I wonder—.

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1. Naka-nai.