About this work
Lyrics by Seishu Hamano, presented in three verses. The original Japanese wording, line breaks and reading annotation are preserved. 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
一．
雨は降る降る 葉山の海辺
しおさい 松風 社のいらか
あなたと歩く みそぎの小橋
夕凪千鳥 つばさも濡れて
水面の魚が 片見に仰ぐ
旅づかれかな わたしたち
お百度参りの 満願だけど
二．
あなた まつ毛が 濡れている
相合傘の 體が揺れる
明日の披露宴 気がかりなのね
やっぱり出なさい 出てあげなさい
いいのよ 私のことなんか
祈って抱いて 恨んで濡れて
神の子わたし 授かるはずが
三．
時のさだめか あなたを乗せて
逗子のロータリー 笑顔で降ろす
空いた助手席 社務所にはこぶ
独りぼっちの 石畳
泪ぽろぽろ あんよが重い
子宝なんて いまさら、いらない
泪ぽろぽろ 泪ぽろぽろ
みそぎ橋
English translation 英訳
AI-assisted English translation. The Japanese original remains authoritative.
I.
Rain keeps falling along Hayama’s shore.
The sound of surf, the pine breeze, the shrine’s tiled roof.
You and I walk across little Misogi Bridge.
Plovers in the evening calm, their wings wet too.
Fish beneath the water’s surface look up from the side.
How travel-weary we are.
Our hundredfold pilgrimage has fulfilled its vow, and yet—
II.
Your eyelashes are wet.
Our bodies sway beneath the umbrella we share.
Tomorrow’s wedding reception troubles you.
“You should go after all. Go, for their sake.”
“It’s all right—don’t worry about me.”
Praying, embracing, resenting, soaked through.
I was meant to be granted a child of God.
III.
Is it the decree of time? I take you in the car
and let you out smiling at the Zushi rotary.
From the empty passenger seat, I carry it to the shrine office.
Alone on the stone paving,
tears fall and fall; my steps are heavy.
“A child? I no longer need one, not now.”
Tears fall and fall, tears fall and fall—
Misogi Bridge.
Original wording, author credits, notes and source materials are preserved there.