Even this wandering wind among the pines of the mountain-
I’ve heard that it departs with murmuring sound.
The Sarashina Diary (Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan)

Even this wandering wind among the pines of the mountain-
I’ve heard that it departs with murmuring sound.
The Sarashina Diary (Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan)

What intensity of memory clings to your heart?
That gentle shower fell on the leaves–
Only for a moment [our hearts touched]. ~The Sarashina Diary (Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan)

“For remembrance of her I wanted to write about her,”… but I stopped short with the words, “Ink seems to have frozen up, I cannot write any more.” *
How shall I gather memories of my sister?
The stream of letters is congealed.
No comfort may be found in icicles
~The Sarashina Diary (Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan)
*The continuous writing of the cursive Japanese characters is often compared to a meandering river. “Ink seems to have frozen up” means that her eyes are dim with tears, and no more she can write continuously and flowingly.
Even into the mind always clouded with grief,
There is cast the reflection of the bright moon ~The Sarashina Diary (Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan)

image submitted in response to Patti’s lens-artists photo challenge: reflections
Even water could not live on–
So lonesome is the mountain
Of the leaf-scattering stormy wind. ~The Sarashin Diary (Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan)

Visit Patti at P.A. Moed to join this week’s lens-artists photo challenge: splash
None calls upon me, or remembers me in my mountain village.
On the reeds by the thin hedge, the Autumn winds are sighing.
~The Sarashina Diary, A.D. 1009-1059 (Diaries of Old Japan)


I am like dew on the grass–
And pitiable wherever I may be–
But especially am I oppressed with sadness
In a field with a thin growth of reeds.
~The Sarashina Diary, 1009-1059 (Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan
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