Read, reflect, pray
Looking into the moonlit night: waka
ながむれば
Author not named
Poem and reading aid
ながむれば
nagamureba
月白妙の
tsukishirotaeno
夜半なれや
yowanareya
ただ黒谷に
tada kurodanini
すみぞめの袖
sumizomeno sode
How to use the Roman letters
Roman letters follow the kana displayed in this site’s Japanese reader; some readings are editorial additions documented on the Japanese page. These are a reading aid, not restored Sanskrit or a recording of a temple’s chanting. Historical spellings (such as wo, wi, we and ha used as a particle) are kept. Double vowels and repeated vowels mark the written kana; rhythm and pronunciation can differ by tradition.
You can simply read the meaning or sit quietly. No recitation is required. For a temple or shrine’s own recitation, follow that tradition’s published guidance.
Meaning in English
Looking out into the white moonlit night, in Kurodani I see sleeves of ink-black robes.
Background and attribution
A pilgrimage song of Dainichiji, Shikoku temple 4, whose principal image is Dainichi. The pilgrimage association records the place-name Kurodani. The poem contrasts moonlight with the monk’s dark robe.
The English meaning and explanation are this site’s own rendering. The poem’s speaker, author and object of devotion are not necessarily the same.
Connected figures
Sources and edition (1)
English explanations on this page were prepared by Inori no Mori from the cited text and its Japanese explanations. They are not an official translation or a prescribed liturgy.