100 Poems for 100 Poets
100 Poems for 100 Poets or Ogura Hyakunin Isshu is a famous compilation of (of course) 100 Poems by Fujiwara no Teika. Long one of our favorites, we actually added a tea set that includes the poems. The ancient anthology of Japanese poetry is often used as a traditional New Year’s game called “uta-garuta” in Japan.
And now Nintendo is making it more famous by adding it as a game for the Nintendo DS platform. The game helps players study and “train their brain” by memorizing poems and artwork from the famous anthology.
As a tribute, we thought we would print a few interesting sections from 100 Poems for 100 Poets (you can see the full compilation here):
| 48 Minamoto no Shigeyuki Kaze o itami Iwa utsu nami no Onore nomi Kudakete mono o Omou koro kana |
48 Minamoto no Shigeyuki Like a driven wave, Dashed by fierce winds on a rock, So am I: alone And crushed upon the shore, Remembering what has been. |
| 63 Sakyo no Daibu Michimasa Ima wa tada Omoi taenan To bakari wo Hito-zute nara de Iu yoshi mo gana |
63 Fujiwara no Michimasa Is there any way Except by a messenger To send these words to you? If I could, I’d come to you To say goodbye forever. |
| 89 Shokushi Naishinno Tama no o yo Taenaba taene Nagaraeba Shinoburu koto no Yowari mo zo suru |
89 Princess Shokushi Like a string of gems Grown weak, my life will break now; For if I live on, All I do to hide my love May at last grow weak and fail. |
It is a very thoughtful, insightful compilation of poetry – and good for Nintendo who took this into the digital age!