Image via The Japan Times. A yomifuda bearing the full text of Poem No. 1 by Emperor Tenji, from a set published by Tamura Shogundo in 1975. COURTESY OF STUART VARNAM-ATKIN

For some interesting insights into the politics of translating poetry, check out Stuart Varnam-Atkin’s special to The Japan Times, “The Wonderful Worlds of 100 Waka.” In this article, Varnam-Atkin discusses the history of waka and the Ogura Hyakunin Issin, a poetry collection used in a parlor game played at New Year’s. The article covers the history of the poetry collection and how it was illustrated, complete with some beautiful images of hanga and ukiyo-e. Be sure to see p. 3 for some of the poetry in translation.

Because it’s not the end of the New Year season until you’ve greeted everyone, あけましておめでとうございます from all of us at Shinpai Deshou!