Seeing Secretary Chao Back to Japan by Wang Wei

The sea is far and wide.
Who knows the other side?
How far is it away?
A thousand miles, you say.
Look at the sun, O please!
Your sail should trust the breeze.
Turtles bear the dark sky;
Giant fish raise waves high.
When you are in your isle,
There're trees from mile to mile.
Though we're separated for long,
Would you send me your song?

Original Poem:

「送秘书晁监还日本国」
积水不可极，安知沧海东。
九州何处远，万里若乘空。
向国唯看日，归帆但信风。
鳌身映天黑，鱼眼射波红。
乡树扶桑外，主人孤岛中。
别离方异域，音信若为通。

王维

Interpretation:

"Seeing Secretary Chao Back to Japan" is a five-character regulated verse written by the Tang Dynasty poet Wang Wei. It was composed around 753 CE, during the return of Abe Nakamaro (Chinese name: Chao Heng), a Japanese envoy to Tang China, to his homeland. Through this poem, Wang Wei conveys deep friendship, reluctance to part, and heartfelt wishes for his friend’s safe journey. The poem also reflects the historical and cultural ties between China and Japan during the Tang Dynasty.

1. "茫茫沧海极，东望几千里"
   The vast ocean stretches endlessly; looking eastward, Japan lies thousands of miles away.
   The poem opens with an expansive depiction of the boundless sea, setting a tone of solemnity and emphasizing the challenges of the journey. It also mirrors the emotional vastness of the poet's parting sentiment.
2. "九州谁最远，万里重相送"
   Of all lands, which is the farthest? Japan, thousands of miles away, to which I bid you farewell.
   Through a rhetorical question, the poet underscores Japan’s great distance and highlights the depth of his emotions in this long-distance farewell.
3. "鳌身映天黑，鱼眼射波红"
   The giant turtle’s body darkens the sky; the fish’s eyes gleam red, casting light upon the waves.
   This vividly imaginative imagery symbolizes the mythical and formidable nature of the sea. It reflects both the grandeur of the ocean and the poet's concern for the challenges his friend may encounter on the voyage.
4. "向国惟看日，归帆但信风"
   Returning home, you look toward the rising sun, relying only on the wind to guide your sails.
   The double meaning of "日" (sun and Japan) illustrates the difficulty of the journey while subtly weaving in a sense of destiny and hope. The poet also expresses reliance on nature’s elements for safe travel.
5. "登岸明相见，书来定未通"
   Upon reaching your homeland, you will reunite with your kin, though letters may not reach across the seas.
   This bittersweet conclusion conveys the poet's wishes for his friend’s reunion while lamenting the inevitable barrier of communication after their parting.

Stylistic Features

1. Integration of Nature and Emotion
   The poem masterfully blends vast natural imagery with deep personal emotions. The expansive sea and distant homeland symbolize the profound distance in both geography and friendship, enhancing the poignancy of the farewell.
2. Rich Imagination and Vivid Imagery
   The depiction of "giant turtles" and "red-eyed fish" adds a layer of mystical grandeur to the poem. These fantastical elements intensify the depiction of the ocean’s vastness and peril, conveying both awe and apprehension.
3. Symbolism and Wordplay
   The dual meaning of "日" (sun/Japan) and the phrase "信风" (favorable winds/faith) reflect Wang Wei’s linguistic ingenuity. Such nuanced expressions enrich the poem’s interpretative depth and evoke multifaceted emotional resonance.
4. Harmonic Structure and Emotional Progression
   The poem’s harmonious rhythm and progression—from the vastness of the sea to the intimate hope for reunion—mirror the poet's emotional journey. The steady cadence underscores the balance between grandeur and personal sentiment.

Overall Appreciation

"Farewell to the Secretary Chao Jian Returning to Japan" exemplifies Wang Wei’s ability to weave natural grandeur and human emotion into a seamless poetic tapestry. By depicting the vast ocean and perilous journey, the poet not only expresses his heartfelt wishes for Abe Nakamaro’s safe return but also captures the cultural and emotional significance of their friendship. The poem's intricate interplay of imagery, symbolism, and rhythm reflects the depth of Tang Dynasty cultural exchange and Wang Wei’s mastery of poetic craft.

Insights

This poem offers the following inspirations:

Cultural Exchange as a Source of Inspiration
The historical backdrop of Sino-Japanese cultural exchange reminds us of the enduring significance of cross-cultural friendships and the role of poetry in immortalizing such bonds.

Nature as a Medium of Emotion
The expansive natural imagery enhances the emotional weight of the poem, demonstrating how vast landscapes can symbolize profound feelings of separation and connection.

Creative Use of Symbolism and Wordplay
By employing double meanings and rich symbolism, poets can convey layered emotions and thoughts, making their work more engaging and thought-provoking.

Artistic Expression of Friendship and Farewell
Wang Wei’s tender yet dignified tone exemplifies how poetry can capture the complexity of farewells, blending personal sentiments with universal themes of connection and separation.

Poem translator:

Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)

About the poet:

Wang Wei (王维), 701-761 A.D., was a native of Yuncheng, Shanxi Province. Wang Wei was a poet of landscape and idylls. His poems of landscape and idylls, with far-reaching images and mysterious meanings, were widely loved by readers in later generations, but Wang Wei never really became a man of landscape and idylls.