京都府立鳥羽高等学校

After reading the comments from the exchange students, Toba students wrote some responses to them. Four representative responses are listed below.

It was difficult for me to translate waka(Japanese poetry) from Japanese into English because I don't find English words suitable for the image of the waka. Besides, I had never translated waka. But I realized once again how beautiful Japanese nature is. If there weren't four seasons, waka might not be created. So I want to spread the beauty of the waka to the world.

To write a tanka in English was very difficult because tanka have peculiar rhythm and expressions. But I was glad to read this message. I could understand that the tanka poetry party is very rare and wonderful.

Translating the poems was so difficult. English doesn't have the words I wanted to use. So I had to find suitable words. I took a lot of time to translate them. However, I'm very happy that you enjoyed and you were interested in the poems. I want you to enjoy them more.

I read these impressions and I'm glad because I feel that I was able to share the pleasure of Japanese poetry with foreign people. And I think that I'll continue to do my best at composing Japanese poetry and translating it.