In seclusion
At the quiet Ono retreat:
She was afraid to be heard
Or seen,
Even by wind from the summit
Or by a young stag,
She suppressed her voice
Modestly.
Neither the two ancient verses,
Nor something special
Has she in mind
When she seats herself
At the inkstone.
Yet it is in writing practice
That she passes her hours of idleness
And silent tears.
Song composed for koto by Mitsuhashi Kengyo (1693-1760)
(translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)
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