Kakinomoto no Hitomaro

Kakinomoto no Hitomaro (Japanese: 柿本人麻呂 or 柿本人麿, c. 653–655 – c. 707–710) was a Japanese waka poet and aristocrat of the late Asuka period. He was the most prominent of the poets included in the Man'yōshū. He is ranked as one of the Thirty-six Poetry Immortals. From the Heian period on, he was often called Hito-maru (人丸).

One Hundred Poems from the Japanese (1955)
One Hundred Poems from the Japanese (New Directions Publishing, 1955), ISBN 978-0811201810

Miyama mo saya ni Sayagedomo Ware wa imo omo Wakare kinureba'' The leaves of the bamboo grass Rustle in the wind. I think of a girl Who is not here.
 * ''Sasa no ha wa
 * In the empty mountains
 * XVII, p. 19

Natsu no no kusa to Shigeku to mo Imo to ware to shi Tazusawarineba'' In a summer meadow. My girl and I Sleep arm in arm.
 * ''Hito goto wa
 * Gossip grows like weeds
 * XIX, p. 21

Ware wa kezuraji Utsukushiki Kimi ga ta makura Fureteshi mono wo'' Comb my hair. It has lain Pillowed on the hand of my lover.
 * ''Asa ne gami
 * This morning I will not
 * XX, p. 22

Shira kami made to Musubiteshi Kokoro hitotsu wo Ima takame ya mo'' While your heart stayed Knotted against me. I shall never Loosen it now.
 * ''Kurokami no
 * Your hair has turned white
 * XXI, p. 23

Momiji wo shigemi Mado inuru Imo wo motomenu Yama ji shirazu mo'' Have hidden the paths On the autumn mountain. How can I find my girl, Wandering on ways I do not know?
 * ''Aki yama no
 * The colored leaves
 * XXIII, p. 25

Waga ya wo mireba Tama doko no Hoka ni mukikeri Imo ga ko makura'' In our room By our bed Gazing at your pillow.
 * ''Ie ni kite
 * I sit at home
 * XXV, p. 27

One Hundred More Poems from the Japanese (1976)
One Hundred More Poems from the Japanese, trans. Kenneth Rexroth (New Directions Publishing, 1976), ISBN 978-0811206198

Hozu e no ume wo Ta oru to wa Shizu e no tsuyu ni Nurenikeru kamo For my girl From the top of the plum tree The lower branches Drenched me with dew.
 * ''Ito ga tame
 * When I gathered flowers
 * XXII, p. 24