“In the Sea of Iwami”

By

Kakinomoto Hitomaro

Seventh to Eighth Centuries A.D.

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

CHOKA

• Alternate lines of five and seven syllables with an additional seven-syllable line at the end

• No limit to the number of lines• End in envoys

– Summations– Structure

• Five lines of five, seven, five, seven and seven syllables

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

STANZA I

• Imagery

– “deep-sea, miru weed” (4)

• Purpose of image

–Tangling?

–Entrapping?

–Commitment?

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

STANZA II

• Establishing a simile– “Like the swaying sea tangle,

Unresisting would she lie beside me” (7-8)

– “My wife whom I love with a loveDeep as the miru-growing ocean.”

(9-10)

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

STANZA II

• Diction

– “unresisting”

• Passive?

• Flowing with the current?

• Positive or negative image?

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

STANZA II

• He and his wife have spent much time apart– “But few are the nights

We two have lain together.”(11-12)

– Theme of separation

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

STANZA III

• Discussion of parting– Comparison to the parting of “creeping vines”

(14)

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

STANZA III

• Turns to look back to see his wife– “But because of the yellow leaves

Of Watari Hill,Flying and fluttering in the air,

I cannot see plainlyMy wife waving her

sleeve to me.”(17-21)

• Yellow leaves suggest death/separation• Is nature preventing the two from being together?

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

STANZA IV

• Purpose of moon– Symbolizes a mirror

• Reflection of himself?• Reflection of his relationship?

– Moon disappears behind clouds• Leaves him full of regret• His love vanishes from sight

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

STANZA IV

• Purpose of the setting sun

– “Coursing down the western sky” (28)

• Death imagery

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

STANZA IV

• Reflection of self

– Thought he was a strong man

– Realizes that is “sleeves…/Are wetted through with tears” (30-31)

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

ENVOYS

• Returns home

– “My black steed/ Galloping fast” (32-33)

• Returns quickly

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

ENVOYS

• “Oh, yellow leavesFalling on the autumn hill,Cease a whileTo fly and flutter in the air,That I may see my love’s dwelling

place!” (37-41)– Death imagery– Asks nature to stop the leaves from falling– Trying to stop death/separation

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

STANZA IV

• Purpose of tears?

– Temporary absence?

– Permanent death?

Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"