About this work
A chance glimpse of a former partner during the osmanthus season brings back affection and the recognition of separate lives. This English version is an editorial translation for access; the Japanese text remains available alongside it for comparison.
Parallel reading
日本語と英語で読む
Read the Japanese original and its English translation together. On smaller screens, each language follows in sequence.
日本語原文 Japanese original
別れたお方を街で偶然みかけた
金木犀の香りの中で
オレンジの夕陽丘
眩しくてよく見えない
目を見張った
その懐かしい背中は、確かにあなた
一瞬はっと息を吞む
作業服の肩がほつれていた
そのほつれが気になった．．．
きっと今は他の誰かが縫ってくださるのね
切なさがはしった
時は流れて
あなたの今と未来が
わたしの今と未来に
わたしの心はいつまでも
金木犀の花が毎年この季節に咲くように
変わらないのに
運命のいたずらで
金木犀の香りが二人を包み込む街角で
English translation 英訳
AI-assisted English translation. The Japanese original remains authoritative.
Separate you met by chance in the town
Orange sunset hill
Too bright to see clearly
Stared in amazement
That familiar back was certainly yours
For an instant, I held my breath
The shoulder of your work clothes was frayed
That fraying worried me...
Probably someone else will sew it now
Sadness ran
Time flowed on
Your present and future
Have become my present and future
My heart remains forever
Like the osmanthus flowers bloom every year at this season
Yet by the caprice of fate
The scent of osmanthus wrapped the two of us in the street corner
Original wording, author credits, notes and source materials are preserved there.