In this hoki-bush it certainly appeared to be,—the firefly! [but where is it?]
Sodé é kité,
Yōhan no hotaru
Sabishi kana!
This midnight firefly coming upon the sleeve of my robe—how weird[8]!...
Yanagi-ba no
Yami saki kaësu
Hotaru kana!
For this willow tree the season of budding would seem to have returned in the dark—look at the fireflies!
Mizu soko no
Kagé wo kowagaru
Hotaru kana!
Ah, he is afraid of the darkness under the water,—that firefly! [Therefore he lights his tiny lantern!]
Sugitaru wa!
Mé ni mono sugoshi
Tobu hotaru!
Ah, I am going too far!... The flitting of the fireflies here is a lonesome sight!
Hotarubi ya!
Kusa ni osamaru
Yoäkégata.