Otomo no Kuronushi: That Sad, Old Man

Can be found here.

There is little known about Otomo no Kuronushi but he is one of Ki no Tsurayuki's Six Best Waka Poets listed in the preface to the Kokinshuu. He apparently was from Omi in Shiga Prefecture. Since there isn't much information about him out there, there isn't a lot to say. He's a good poet but not as good as Archbishop Henjo. I looked through some of his poetry (it's not so easy to find) and I liked these three the best. I hope you enjoy my translations. 

春雨の降る涙か桜花散るを惜しまぬ人しなければ

大友黒主

Breezy spring showers

Feel like falling tears drops,

Sakura blossoms

Fall and scatter and yet

No one seems to care.

Otomo no Kuronushi

I like this poem because the "spring showers" can be read as rain drops or tear drops. The poem could be a lament for the end of spring and the falling cherry blossoms or could be a metaphor for something more interesting. The last line is ambiguous but I hope my translation is alright. 

鏡山いざ立ちよりて見てゆかむ年経ぬる身は老いやしぬると

大友黒主

This photo can be found here along with more pictures of Mt. Mikami

Kagami Mountain,

Well I believe it’s time for me

To pay a visit, but

Has this aged body of mine

Become too old and weak?

Otomo no Kuronushi

"Kagami Mountain" is present day Mikami Mountain in Shiga Prefecture. It was and remains a sacred place nowadays it's more of a tourist attraction. This poem is a lament for his old age.

思ひ出でて恋しき時は初雁のなきてわたると人知るらめや

大友黒主

When I dwell on

Our times of love and passion

The wild goose takes off

Crying, and I cry with it,

Do they know the way home?

Otomo no Kuronushi

This is apparently a sad lament for an old lover.