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One translation, by Joji Hirota:
Kokiriko's length measures
Seven and a half suns
The long side reaches
To the kimono's sleeves cuff
The window frame sounds like
Dedereko den
That frame also sounds like
Dedereko den
In the mountain opposite
The Bulbuls are crying
They cry and fall
They cry and rise
The window frame sounds like...
In the mountain opposite
What is that thing that is shining?
Is it the stars, the fireflies or
the gold bugs glittering?
The window frame sounds like...
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The Kokiriko is an instrument made of old bamboo that was used on the roofs of old farmhouses. Its length is 7 and a half sun, a traditional measure (about 23 cm - any longer and it would catch in the kimono sleeves.) The Sasara consists of a succession of rectangular wooden slats strung together with a rope .
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This reminds me . . . It must be . . .
ReplyDeleteOddly, a Tube offering I can't exactly cuddle up to...but of course I like it anyway. Productive of a schizophrenic flashback. Any good schnaps available?
ReplyDeleteSchnaps and good? Isn't that an oxymoron?
ReplyDeleteBartender, bring 2 plastic glasses.
ReplyDeleteMake that 3 glasses.
ReplyDeleteAre we talking German Schnaps, here, or made-in-America stuff?
Not that it matters. Unless...
ReplyDeleteWe are not talking about the 15% stuff, here, are we?
I'll have a glass drinking glass, if you don't mind. "Qu'importe le flacon, pourvu qu'on ait l'ivresse," isn't it so? I would drink straight from the bottle, but you know how it is, people will stare.
ReplyDeleteTrue Schnapps has no sugar added and is definitely an aquired taste particularly for nationalities not used to raw distillates
The Frenchs use the term "eau de vie" for an unsweetened fruit brandy, very similar in nature to Schnapps. For the discriminate palates, various distillates can sometimes be sampled there as well as in a few select places around the world. They usually tend to be between 30 and 50 proof, so their contents might seem too mild for those who prefer their spirit "rectified."
Ah sweet Nausicaa, but your glass glass will disrupt our oxymoronic celebration. Ne'ertheless, we'll have Russian schnaps...and hope they carry us out with consideration.
ReplyDeleteYou can't handle the Russian schnaps!
ReplyDeleteI am just saying!
ReplyDeleteDon't take it personally, very few people do.
You could take a chance... Things might get out of control... And you've got to ask yourself this: will she still respect you in the morning?
Ah, back in the old days, sir, guests who tipped poorly were given "Mickey Finn powder" in their food or drinks, at least that's what I heard, sir. In 1918, over one hundred waiters were taken into custody over the apparent widespread practice of poisoning by waiters in Chicago. Those were the days.
ReplyDeleteEr...thank you, Bartender... You are not from Chicago, are you? And... how old did you say you were, again?
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I think it's Mickey Finns as in Mickey Finn's Liquor Company Inc. And I believe the main company is based in Ireland. Does that make their schnapps "Irish," now?