[Student Post]
Hello it’s Rumi, and this will be my last post here. It’s been a pleasure learning about the secret world of Geisha, and sharing the things I discovered with everybody here. It’s a bittersweet farewell, so I’d like to part ways with everyone with some translations of Hauta Kouta which are just as sentimental.
These are rough translations and explanations of each piece. I put in a lot of effort to be able to keep the essence and emotion from the original piece. I hope that none of it got lost in translation, and that it pulls at your heartstrings just as it did to mine. Enjoy!
Ago de shirasete 顎でしらせて
あごで知らせて 目でうけて
必ずやいのと 約束したを
今において いまをもって 首尾も場合もないことか
ええ ままならぬ
ままならぬこそ 浮世 世の中じゃ 娑婆世界
TRANSLATION:
You told me with your chin.
I accept with my eyes.
We’ve promised for sure
But now it’s neither a success nor a case
Ah, so unpredictable (beyond my control)
The world just does not work as I wish
In the world of idleness
Ai mite no 逢ひ見ての
逢い見ての 後の心のくらぶれば
思いぞまさる昨日今日
いっそ他人であったなら
こんな苦労はあるまいに 焦がれ死ねとか出雲の神は
ほんとに仇やら情けやら
TRANSLATION:
When I think of my heart after seeing you
My feeling gets stronger day by day
If only you were a stranger
I wouldn’t have such a hard time
To pine (love), to die; the Izumo gods tell
Are they evil or merciful
Aitai yamai 逢いたい病
逢いたい病がつのりすごして どうにもならぬ
人に意見をいってみるほど 気楽な身分に なれぬものかいな
TRANSLATION:
The pain of longing grows stronger and stronger. I cannot bear it anymore.
I wonder if telling my feelings would ease my mind.
Aitasani あひたさに
逢いたさに来てみれば
酔うてそのまま 寝てしまい
後は泣くやらじれるやら
愚痴を並べて ままよままよ
今夜も 明日も 飲み明かす 茶碗酒
Translation:
I missed you so I came for you
But I got drunk and fell asleep
After that is crying and agonizing
Make complaints and let them go
A cup with sake that I’ll drink all night and tomorrow too.
Akete medetaki 明けてめでたき
明けてめでたき まゆ玉に 宝づくしの。
ん かずかずを。
結ぶ縁の神々へ 2人そろうて 初詣り
TRANSLATION:
It is a treasure trove of a heartbreak and a heartbrow.
Wordspan.
They met and went for the first shrine visit of the year to meet the gods of intertwined fate.
Have a wonderful time for the rest of the year!