唐詩
咏柳
He Zhizhang
碧玉妆成一树高，万条垂下绿丝绦。
不知细叶谁裁出，二月春风似剪刀。
翻訳
A tall willow stands as if dressed in green jade; ten thousand hanging branches fall like green silk ribbons. I wonder who cut out these slender leaves. The spring wind of the second month is like a pair of scissors.
解説
"On the Willow" is one of He Zhizhang's most famous poems. It is a short object poem about early spring, but its charm lies in its freshness of imagination. The willow is not merely described; it is transformed into something adorned, woven, and delicately cut by the spring wind. The first line presents the whole tree. "Green jade" suggests brightness, purity, and a fresh green color. The word "dressed" personifies the willow, as if it were a graceful figure adorned for spring. The second line moves from the whole tree to the hanging branches. The many willow twigs are compared to green silk ribbons. This image is precise: willow branches are long, soft, fine, and naturally droop downward, just like ribbons hanging from a decorated form. The third line introduces a playful question: who cut out these slender leaves? The willow leaves are so fine and regular that they seem crafted by hand. The question turns natural growth into an act of artistry. The final line gives the answer: the spring wind of the second month is like scissors. This is the poem's central conceit. Spring wind is invisible, but it brings growth and shape to the natural world. By comparing it to scissors, He Zhizhang makes the invisible work of spring concrete and delightful. The poem is not heavy or philosophical. Its strength is childlike wonder. It sees the new willow leaves and imagines spring itself as a craftsman. That clarity and lightness are why the poem has remained one of the most beloved Tang poems for beginners and general readers alike.
作者紹介
He Zhizhang was a Tang dynasty poet and calligrapher, courtesy name Jizhen, from Yongxing in Yuezhou. He passed the imperial examination and held official posts, later retiring to his hometown. In old age he called himself "Siming Kuangke," the Mad Guest of Siming. He was known for his free and open temperament and for his friendship with Li Bai, whom he famously praised as an "exiled immortal." Although relatively few of his poems survive, his language is fresh and natural. His best-known works include "On the Willow" and "Homecoming."