SENRYU -- 川柳

"SENRYU" is a short, 3-line, type of Japanese poem, very much like a "HAIKU". But unlike HAIKU, which tend to focus on nature, SENRYU are more about human situations, using ironic, sardonic, and darkish humor. Lots of Japanese humor occurs in the minor chord, so to speak.

This blog entry will mark the beginning of my efforts to make Japanese SENRYU more available to English readers. The poems below, come from the Mainichi Newspaper's SENRYU page (link provided). Each is shown in the original Japanese, followed by my attempt at a translation (including the provisional titles).

Link: http://mainichi.jp/enta/art/senryu/

Here's the fist batch --- Enjoy!

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-- Hesitation At A Crosswalk

信号は青だが

向こうに

妻がいる。

Shingo wa ao da ga

Mukou ni...

Tsuma ga iru.

The light has turned green

But on the other side...

My wife awaits.

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== Midnight Jitters

誰がいる --

猫のいびきで

眼がさめる。

Dare ga iru --

Neko no ibiki de

Me ga sameru.

Who is there?

Suddenly awoken

By the cat's snore.

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-- Fashion Choice

主婦太り

はじめの一歩

ジャージから。

Shufu-butori --

Hajime no ippo,

Jaa-zi kara.

Housewife's weight gain --

The first step is,

Wearing those sweats.

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-- My New Plasma T.V.

鮮明な画面で

見せる

馬鹿騒ぎ。

Senmei na gamen de

Miseru

Baka-sawagi.

The screen is so beautiful

And distinct, showing

The usual stupidity.

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-- Honeymoon Illusion

夫婦旅

２泊３日が

限度です。

Fuu-fu tabi

Ni-haku Mikka ga

Gendo desu.

Husband and wife trip

2-nights and 3 days

Is the absolute limit.

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-- Lost Power Of Youth

小便で

字を書けなくて

寂しいな。

Sho-ben de

Ji o kake-naku-te,

Sabishii na.

So sad I can no longer

Write characters on the ground

With a strong piss.