Santōka Alarm
日本語EN

Self-portrait

dressed in rags bundled up wearing an auspicious face

boro kite kibukurete omedetai kao de

1937–1938 · Late years at Gochū-an
Sōmokutō · Persimmon Leaves (Kaki no ha)

Notes

A verse prefaced "Self-portrait." Bundled up in layered rags, the face in the mirror looks positively "omedetai" — auspicious. He plays the New Year's "auspicious" against the other sense of "omedetai," simple-minded, and laughs at himself.

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