Translation

Attendant to Empress Inpu (1130-1200)

Look!
The Male Island’s female divers—
Their sleeves wetted too
So wetted through
The color cannot change


Original Japanese
Pronunciation


殷富門院大輔
Inpu Monin no Taifu


見せばやな
Misebaya na
雄島のあまの
Ojima no ama no
袖だにも
Sode dani mo
ぬれにぞぬれし
Nure ni zo nureshi
色はかはらず
Iro wa kawarazu


Literal Notes
         
Look/see when/if hey!
[Male Island = Ojima] ’s [heaven/sky/shell-diver/sweet/rain] ’s
Sleeve/wing is on
Wet through ! wet again
Color change not

Wet sleeves is a frequent Japanese poetical symbol of tears, hinting at heartbreak from love.
                  

Year: 
2012