Kanbun year 4, 1664
Matsuo Kinsaku (Basho), age 20 or 21,
Kyoto in Spring?
Fading beauty,
she blossoms in old age
— her memories姥桜 咲くや 老後の 思い出
Matsuo Kinsaku (Basho), Spring 1664, age 20 or 21
uba-sakura saku ya rougo no omoide
ubazakura saku ya rougo no omoi-ide
Notes on Translation
ubazakura (ubasakura) is a particular kind of cherry tree. In Spring, its blossoms appear on leafless branches. It is a metaphor for a woman who is old but still attractive.
uba-sakura (“a faded beauty,” a combination of nursing mother and sakura, cherry blossom) saku (to bloom) ya (emphasis) rougo (old age) no (particle connectining old age and memories) omoide (memory or keepsake)
matsuo-basho-haiku 