Although I try
to hold the single thought
of Buddha's teaching in my heart,
I cannot help but hear
the many crickets' voices calling as well.
Kenneth Roxroth, author of ''Love Poems from the Japanese'', said that of all the poets from that era, Shikibu had the greatest connection to the Buddhist traditions and mentality.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
another waka by Izumi Shikibu: ________________________ 暗より暗道にぞ入ぬべき遙に照せ山の葉の月 kurasa yori kuraki miti ni zo irinubeki Faruka ni terase yama no Fa no tuki From darkness On a shadowed path I must make my way; Let it faintly shine, The moon upon the mountain’s edge. [from SHŪISHŪ - SIS XX: 1342] ________________________