Practise the thinking. Keep the judgement.
秋風に
Fujiwara no Akisuke · 左京大夫顕輔
秋風に
たなびく雲の
絶間より
もれ出づる月の
影のさやけさ
Historical kana
あきかぜに
たなびくくもの
たえまより
もれいづるつきの
かげのさやけさ
Original English translation
Through a break in clouds streaming on the autumn wind, moonlight emerges in such clear brightness.
History and context
Akisuke compiled the Shikashū; this poem was later included in the Shinkokinshū. Its moving clouds create the conditions for a sudden perception of light.
Imagery and wordplay
A gap turns concealment into revelation. Kage here means the moon’s light, not its shadow.
Shinkokinshū · 新古今集秋上413
Japanese text and historical kana follow the linked Wikisource transcription. Classical poems can have variant spellings and wording in different anthologies. The source anthology reference identifies the version represented in this collection, not necessarily its earliest surviving text. English prose translations and reading notes are original interpretations; some wordplay permits more than one reading.