初雀【はつすずめ】 hatsu-suzume first sparrow
Though familiar all year around, the sparrow on New Year's Day is
a special sight. As one welcomes the new year and regards the sparrow
with renewed mind, its appearance and chirpings seem
especially cheerful and beautiful.
Even among children, there used to be an apparent
difference in class, and many children were without dress-clothes
on New Year's Day. This poem addresses these poorer children warmly.
The scene with a child and sparrow reminds one of Issa's haikus.
初雀翅をひろげて降りにけり
村上鬼城
hatsu-suzume hane o hirogete orinikeri
the first sparrow
spreads its wings
and lands
Murakami Kijō
初雀地に降りてまだ汚れなし
河野緋佐子
hatsu-suzume chi ni orite mada kegare nashi
the first sparrow
lands--
as of yet without dirt
Kōno Hisako
晴れ着なき子どちも集へ初雀
香西照雄
haregi naki kodochi mo tsudoe hatsu-suzume
oh you children without dress clothes,
come gather around--
the first sparrow
Kōzai Teruo
