Author Archives: Tom

Samples from Japanese Literature

 

こんな夢を見た。

I had a dream/I had this dream.

しかし女は静かな声で、 もう死にますとはっきりった。

However, in that gentle voice, she told me quite clearly she was going to die.

自分は黙って、顔を枕から離した。

I remained silent, but lifted my face from the pillow.

まくら - 枕 - pillow

だまる - 黙る - to keep silent

離す - はなす - to take away/remove

腕組をしながら、どうしても死ぬのかなと思った。

Arms crossed over my chest, I wondered if she was truly going to die.

腕組をする - うでぐみをする - to cross one’s arms over one’s chest

死んだら、 埋めて下さい。

When I’m dead, I want you to bury me.

埋める - うめる -  to bury

自分は、何時逢いに来るかねと聞いた。

“When will you come back to meet me?” I asked.

 

These sentences were taken from “Breaking into Japanese Literature” by Giles Murray.