About this work
A meal of meat and potatoes turns a wish for praise into a quiet recognition of affection expressed without many words. This English version is an editorial translation for access; the Japanese text remains available alongside it for comparison.
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日本語原文 Japanese original
肉じゃが食べたいといわれて
作ったものの
無言で食べているから
「どう？おいしいかしら」とたずねると
「うん。おいしい」とオウム返しだけ
いつだって言葉は少なげだけど
作る私の心なんか関心もない返事に、もやもや。
わたしは泥臭いジャガイモのように
あなたには当ったり前なのね
もっと褒めてよ
ちゃんと作ったのに
心は不満でいっぱいなのに
あら？ふとテーブルのお皿をよくみたら
あんなに沢山の肉じゃが
あっという間に
残さずに食べているじゃないの
なんだ、やっぱり良かった
無器用な表情でテレビを見るあなたの横顔
わたしの方はおのろけ気分だと、
判っているのかな、そのテレビを観る目は
English translation 英訳
AI-assisted English translation. The Japanese original remains authoritative.
Nikujaga
Nao Takatori
2023.11.17
Nikujaga
I want to eat it
Having made it
You eat it silently
"How is it? Is it delicious?" I ask
"Hmm. It's delicious," you echo back
Words are always few
Yet the response, indifferent to my heart in making it, leaves me unsettled
I am like a earthy potato
It's just what you expected
Compliment me more
I made it properly
Yet my heart is full of dissatisfaction
Oh? Suddenly, I look closely at the plate on the table
There are so many Nikujaga
It's gone in an instant
Without a trace
So, it was really good
Your side profile, watching TV with an awkward expression
I am the one feeling lovestruck
Do you know, with that gaze watching the TV?
Original wording, author credits, notes and source materials are preserved there.