Kawa ni muki-ité
Kru[19] yo zo ōki!
[When autumn comes, and the river-mists spread over the Heavenly Stream, I turn toward the river, (and long); and the nights of my longing are many!]
Hito-tosé ni
Nanuka no yo nomi
Aü-hito no—
Koï mo tsuki-néba
Sayo zo aké ni keru!
[But once in the whole year, and only upon the seventh night (of the seventh month), to meet the beloved person—and lo! The day has dawned before our mutual love could express itself![20]]
Toshi no koï