2

I recently got an old Japanese Orihon (folding book) which has a lengthy passage in seal script - my assumption was that Japanese seal script would be the same as Chinese seal script, but if I'm wrong about that please correct me! I managed to translate one title (not pictured) within the book as '將進酒', so given that the book contains a Li Bai poem I'm assuming it may be a collection of Chinese poems.

I know that these things are very hard to translate, so if anyone is able to do it I am very thankful in advance. I don't necessarily need the whole thing translated into English too; just if someone could let me know roughly what it is (e.g a poem, a story, a description etc.).

Thanks, Thomas.

Seal Script Passage

2
  • 1
    This is the full text of 西亭春望.
    – dROOOze
    May 13, 2019 at 8:07
  • Wow @droooze, thanks for the quick answer! I guess it must be some kind of Chinese poem compilation, then.
    – TKNZ
    May 13, 2019 at 8:22

1 Answer 1

1

In modern script:

唐 賈至 《西亭春望》

日長風暖柳青青 北雁歸飛人窅冥

岳陽城上聞吹笛 能使春心滿洞庭

With the character variants inserted in their place:

enter image description here

3
  • 1
    Looks like there's an English translation here (poemhunter.com/best-poems/luo-zhihai/…), but it's not great. I'll post it here in case the link dies: Long day, warm wind and green willows / Northern geese fly into the gloom / On the wall of the Yueyang City someone flutes / Full of Dongting with the spring moods
    – Mou某
    Jan 10, 2020 at 8:04
  • @user3306356 oh come on...it's not that bad. I've given worse translations on this site.
    – dROOOze
    Jan 10, 2020 at 8:08
  • Haha, well it was "the gloom," that really got me.
    – Mou某
    Jan 10, 2020 at 8:11

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.