English Rendering
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.
Farewell to a Japanese Monk
- Poetry of Wei Zhuang
《送日本国僧敬龙归》
Original Text (中文原文)
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。
Analysis & Context
This poem was composed during the turbulent late Tang period when domestic upheavals had suspended Japan's official diplomatic missions to China. Japanese monks and scholars thereafter traveled between the two nations via merchant ships. The poet Wei Zhuang, having befriended the Japanese monk Keiryu during his studies in Guozhou, penned this work upon Keiryu's return to Japan—expressing both heartfelt farewell and sincere blessings.
Reader's Companion
The Essence of the Verse
Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.
Reading Between the Lines
Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.
- Farewell to a Japanese Monk
- Sidixiang
- A Nanjing Landscape
- A Night Thought on Terrace Tower
- Buddhist Dancers
- The Summit Temple
- <Prelude to Water Melody> Sent to Ziyou on Mid-autumn Festival
- Invitation to Wine
- Question and Answer in the Mountains
- Cold sheet
- Coming Home ( Returning Home )
The Masters' Directory
Journey through the dynasties. Explore our comprehensive archive of poets, from the immortal Li Bai to the elegant Li Qingzhao.
View All Poets →