Year
This was an incredibly difficult one to translate because almost every line had multiple possible meanings, especially the fourth line. When the Japanese poetry write in hiragana, their alphabet, they are intentionally leaving open multiple possible interpretations as many words have the same sounds. However, when they write in kanji, or Chinese characters, the meaning is more precise, though still also often having multiple interpretations.
In this case, the poem describes being away from his lover and uses the image of Mt. Inaba. However, he writes Inaba in hiragana, leaving open another reading as “even I’m not there.” In the fourth line, “Matsu” can be read as “pine tree” under one kanji, but also as “waiting, anticipating, looking forward to” under another kanji. “To shi” could either be read together as “year” or separately as “and poem/song” or “and death.” So together that line could mean, all equally valid, “if I hear the song of the pines,” “if I hear your pining song,” “if I hear the years/time of your waiting is like death,” among other variations. The last line can be read as “return soon with intention” or “I’ll return no matter how crowded the way may be.”
My Translation
By Counselor Yukihira
We stand apart,
But if, away from the pines
That spring along Inaba’s peak,
I hear your pining song,
I’ll return soon, or die trying.
Original Japanese
中納言行平
立ち別れ
いなばの山の
峰に生ふる
まつとしきかば
今かへりこむ
Japanese Pronunciation
Chunagon Yukihira
Tachi wakare
Inaba no yama no
Mine ni oru
Matsu to shi kikaba
Ima kaeri kon
Literal
Counselor Yukihira
Stand parting
[Inaba/if leave] Mountain’s
[Peak/ridge] [at/to] [grow/spring up]
[Pine tree/to wait/to look forward to/the end of] [year |or| and death/poem] [if hear/if listen]
[Now/soon] [return/go home] [crowded/to do intently]