23. Chisato Ōye: Ōye no Chisato
23
CHISATO ŌYE
ŌYE NO CHISATO
Tsuki mireba
Chiji ni mono koso
Kanashi kere
Waga mi hitotsu no
Aki ni wa aranedo.
Chiji ni mono koso
Kanashi kere
Waga mi hitotsu no
Aki ni wa aranedo.
THIS night the cheerless autumn moon
Doth all my mind enthrall;
But others also have their griefs,
For autumn on us all
Hath cast her gloomy pall.
Chisato Ōye is said to have lived about the end of the ninth century; he was the son of a Councillor, and a very fertile poet. He was also famous as a philosopher, and acted as tutor to the Emperor Sei-wa, who reigned A.D. 859-876.