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Reblogged from yeotae
Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (100 poems by 100 poets)
Poem 1 by Tenji Tenno (The Emperor Tenji)
“Out in the fields this autumn day
They are busy reaping grain;
I sought shelter ‘neath this roof,
But fear I sought in vain,–
My sleeve is wet with rain.”
~Translation by William N. Porter
This poem was written by the Emperor Tenji, who reigned from 668 - 671. The supposed story comes from a time when the emperor who was known for his kindness, was out scaring the birds away from the harvesters that were gathering their crops. Suddenly it began to rain, so he took shelter in a neighboring hut, but the roof was made only of coarse rushes and so it didn’t protect him very well. Hence this poem.
Source of information: A Hundred Verses from Old Japan by William N. Porter
