O good people, will you tell me if toward Ikuta I'm nearing?
As thou dost know the name of Ikuta There should have been no need to ask us that!
Dost thou not know it from the many views That scattered far and wide portray the place?
First of all, dost thou not know it as the forest of Ikuta? See, the many clustered tree tops which are true to this its name.[12]
And there the stream thou hast now deigned to cross, It is the far-famed river Ikuta.
In the early breath of spring-time (like the shallows of the river) Do we gather, 'neath the snowy cloak, the young shoots of the field.
And this field, too, where little sprouts as yet Are growing, why as Ono know'st it not?[13]
The sweet wild cherry blossoms that do grow In Miyoshino and in Shiga too, The maple leaves of Tatsuta and those Of Hatsuse--they would be surely known By those who lived beside the poet's home. But we, though living in this place know not The forest or the copse of Ikuta. So ask us not, for we know nothing here.
Ah yes. Unfolding now before my eyes The views I know--the forest, river, sea, And mist, the scenes of Ono now expand!
And the far-famed tomb of Ikuta, the Maiden's Tomb, where is it?
Ah, in truth, the Maiden's Tomb! That is a place that I have heard of; Whereabout it is I know not, yea, I know not in the least.
But prithee, traveller, these useless things We beg thee ask us not, we prize the time[14] When we can gather these young shoots of spring.
And thou thyself, too, journeyest in haste, So wherefore dost thou tarry with us here?
"A charming hindrance to the traveller Are they who pluck young shoots in Ono's field In Ikuta."[16] Why ask then useless things?
"Thou, Watchman of the field of Tobuhi That lies in Kasugano, go and see," "Thou, Watchman of the field of Tobuhi That lies in Kasugano, go and see If it is not yet time to pluck the shoots."[17] Thou, traveller, that to the capital Likewise dost haste, how many days hast thou? "For his sake do I go to the spring fields To gather the young shoots, though on my robe Cling still the cold, unmelted flakes of snow."[18] Let us then gather, snowy though it be And on the marsh the thin ice still remains, Pushing aside the sprouting watercress, Let us then gather the green-coloured shoots Let us then gather the green-coloured shoots.