Read, reflect, pray
Pine wind at Kiyomizu: waka
松風や
Author not named
Poem and reading aid
松風や
matsukazeya
音羽の滝の
otowano takino
清水を
kiyomizuwo
むすぶ心は
musubu kokoroha
涼しかるらん
suzushikaruran
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
Amid the pine wind, one cups the pure water of Otowa Falls. How cool and clear must that heart be.
Background and attribution
A pilgrimage song of Kiyomizudera, Saikoku temple 16. The pilgrimage association identifies its principal image as Eleven-faced, Thousand-armed and Thousand-eyed Kannon. The poem joins waterfall and pilgrim’s heart.
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.