Farewell to a Japanese Monk by Wei Zhuang

song ri ben guo seng jing long gui
The land of mulberry is in the boundless sea;
Your home's farther east to the land of mulberry.
Who would arrive with you at the land of your dreams?
A sail unfurled in wind, a boat steeped in moonbeams.

Original Poem:

「送日本国僧敬龙归」
扶桑已在渺茫中,家在扶桑东更东。
此去与师谁共到,一船明月一帆风。

韦庄

Interpretation:

"Farewell to the Japanese Monk" was written during the late Tang period, a time when domestic turmoil in China led to Japan halting the sending of official envoys. Instead, Japanese monks and scholars began traveling to China via merchant ships. The poet, Wei Zhuang, met the visiting Japanese monk Jinglong in Guozhou. After Jinglong completed his studies, Wei Zhuang wrote this poem to bid him farewell and express his good wishes for his journey back to Japan.

First line:“扶桑已在渺茫中,家在扶桑东更东。”
(Fusang is already distant in the mist, and his home lies even further east of Fusang.)
In this line, "Fusang" refers to Japan, derived from ancient myth as the tree from which the sun rises. The poet uses this reference to emphasize the great distance of the monk’s return journey. The phrase "east even further east" amplifies the sense of the remoteness and mystery surrounding the destination, evoking a sense of vastness and unreachable separation.

Second line:“此去与师谁共到?一船明月一帆风。”
(Who will accompany the monk on this journey? Only the bright moon on the boat and the breeze in the sails.)
Here, Wei Zhuang uses the imagery of the "bright moon" and "breeze" to express his well-wishes for a smooth and peaceful journey. The question "who will accompany him?" underscores the poet's feelings of solitude in bidding farewell. The moon and wind, both natural phenomena, are personified to symbolize a sense of companionship, making the farewell scene more poetic and emotionally resonant.

Writing Characteristics

  1. Delicate Emotional Expression
    The poet subtly conveys his emotions of farewell without overtly expressing sadness. The phrase "Fusang is already distant in the mist" not only conveys the physical remoteness of the monk's journey but also the poet’s care and longing for his friend.
  2. Profound Metaphors
    Wei Zhuang cleverly uses "Fusang," a reference to ancient mythology, to metaphorically represent Japan. This not only signifies the far-off land but also invokes a sense of the mysterious and unreachable East.
  3. Integration of Nature and Emotion
    The poet weaves natural imagery, such as the "bright moon" and "breeze," into the poem to enhance the expression of his well-wishes. This fusion of nature and emotion not only creates a vivid mental image but also makes the expression of goodwill more seamless and poetic.

Overall Appreciation

"Farewell to the Japanese Monk Jinglong" uses simple yet elegant language to convey the poet’s heartfelt wishes for his friend’s journey. The poem reflects on the vast distance of the journey while also capturing the poet’s sincere hope for a smooth and peaceful voyage. By repeating the idea of "Fusang" and emphasizing the distance with "even further east," the poet highlights both the literal and metaphorical remoteness of the monk's return. The natural imagery of the "bright moon" and "breeze" humanizes the farewell and adds a poetic dimension to the journey. The poem is filled with both emotion and imagery, blending the poet’s farewell with a beautiful depiction of the sea voyage, showcasing his delicate and profound emotions.

Inspiration

This poem reminds us that in times of farewell and departure, it is not only important to express our good wishes, but also to use metaphors and the natural world to convey deep emotions. The poet masterfully uses external nature to enhance internal sentiments, illustrating how emotional expression can be enriched through vivid imagery. This approach encourages us to connect our feelings to the world around us, using nature as a lens to deepen and amplify emotional resonance in our own expressions.

Poem translator:

Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)

About the Poet:

Wei Zhuang (韦庄), circa 836 - 910 A.D., a native of Xi'an in the southeast of Shaanxi Province, was a scholar and a minister of the Ministry of Revenue. There is a collection of “Raccoon Flower Collections” in circulation.

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