Submitted by Maiko Heller on Mo, 12/26/2011 - 00:01
47
Natsuno akebono
Dawn in summer

tsukiwa sorani nokorite

shirami wataru yamanoha

kumono iromo suzushiku

matsuno kazumo mietari

miyoya nobeno nadeshiko

tsuyuni nururu egao’o

The moon is still at the sky,

the mountains’ contours get white,

the clouds’ color is cold and fresh,

I can already count the pines.

Look at the mountain carnations at the wayside!

They laugh, because the fresh July rain has sprinkled

     them.

In 1900, this song was published in the first part of the “Song book for female pupils”. The lyrics were written by Takeki Ôwada, and the song is still sung with these lyrics.