Practise the thinking. Keep the judgement.
村雨の
Jakuren Hōshi · 寂蓮法師
村雨の
露もまだひぬ
槙の葉に
霧立ちのぼる
秋の夕暮
Historical kana
むらさめの
つゆもまだひぬ
まきのはに
きりたちのぼる
あきのゆふぐれ
Original English translation
Before the shower’s dew has dried on the evergreen leaves, mist rises into the autumn evening.
History and context
Jakuren was active in the poetry circle associated with the Shinkokinshū. The poem belongs to its autumn section and concentrates on a brief transition between rain, damp foliage and mist.
Imagery and wordplay
Wetness remains as the air changes. The scene gains depth through layers rather than a direct statement of emotion.
Shinkokinshū · 新古今集秋下491
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.