神楽坂善国寺「寅石像」
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Thought but a single night separated us,it was as if by a thou-
sand miles.That night I too lay sleepless in the priests'study hall listening to the autumun wind.As down approached,the sound of
voices chanting a sutra reached me clearly.I heard a gong strike and went to the refectory."Today I must be on my way to Echizen,"I
was thinking as I hurried down the stairs from the hall,eager to get started.Just then young priests with paper and inkstones in their hands came running after me to the foot of the staircase.
The willow in the temple garden was shedding its leaves,so I wrote:
I'll sweep the garden
Before I leave---in the temple
The willow-leaves fall.
I quickly jotted down this impromptu verse,standing in my
travel sandals,and then was off.