Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/387

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Conversations with Kyorai
383
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[Bashō’s technique in linked-verse demonstrated: by evoking the excitement caused by the blossoming of the cherry tree he gives a most dramatic picture of the arrival of spring in a dark wood.]

Kuromite takaki
Kashi no ki no mori

Somber and tall
The forest of oaks

Saku hana ni
Chiisaki mon wo
Detsu iritsu

In and out
Through the little gate
To the cherry blossoms.

Bashō

When the former verse was given, I thought how difficult it would be to add a verse about cherry blossoms without destroying the image of the forest of oaks. When I asked the Master to add such a verse, this was how he did it.

Translated by Donald Keene