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“In the Sea of Iwami”. By Kakinomoto Hitomaro Seventh to Eighth Centuries A.D. 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
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“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 love Deep 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 plainly My 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 leaves Falling on the autumn hill, Cease a while To 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"