Soul-Turning incense
漢武帝寵愛李夫人
錯覺夫人思念乃止*1
命方士焚燒返魂香
夫人身影彷現煙中
武帝更加悲淒作詩
是耶非耶而望之偏
娜娜何冉冉其來遲
——鳥山石燕·今昔百鬼拾遺·返魂香
Emperor Wu preferred (in his harem)
Lady Li out of all his mistresses.
(And after her death, one day,)
In Spring He had a strange daydream.
He dreamt, out of all things there could be,
That Lady Li had then ceased her longing---
Thus he bade in a hurry for the al-chemists
To immolate the fabled soul-turning incense.
His royal decree, (by Lord's might), announced:
For Lady Li's gilded apparition
To show ghostly
In the form of the hazy fume and perfume
And beloved, purple gaze of her eyes
Before him to loom once more.
And indeed gradually she did come,
Slowly, slowly it turned---
Real as the cold truth and untruth,
In late eventide's brown buzzing swoon
Of mist, effigies, incantations and candle smoke,
And that intangible
Building of mirage.
Out of greatest sorrow allowed to a Man,
He was driven like a sanguine donkey, to perform a song:
"It is right there, Is it not?
Hazy and yet savory like yester-night's
Unripe, yellowed blossom of an apricot.
Like a buffet in spring, it re-turned,
Through the hilly region's vapour and rain,
Like a throng of summer crickets, it again went to churn:
A rigid drop, a huff and a solid buff,
Rounds of wild, swinging coughs."
"I see it all with my neck askew
(At this very angle,
the ceaseless view)
Again and again, to be stewed anew---
So late and so quick from last eve's buzz
Her deep, glowing glower rises
with Her body throughout in blue, and I said:
'And indeed, gradually she did came
Slowly, slowly it turned'...
So late the arrival and so soon again
For the high departure
Through all of the jade cucurbite
(Then out of jawy retorts)
My heart's sole waning preferment..."
............
*1
This entire excerpt, which I found somewhere online,
is a misquotation of a Chinese translation
of the epigraph from the '返魂香 (Soul-Returning Incense)' chapter
in a collection of Japanese yōkai vignettes titled 『今昔百鬼拾遺』 (Konjaku Hyakki Shūi).
The Chinese translation originates from the preface of a Chinese edition of a Japanese novel titled 狂骨の夢, which quoted the old youkai illustration book.
In the second line quoted above, 乃止 ('thus ceased') should have been 未止 ('not yet ceased'), as it was in the Chinese translation on the preface.
By context, the correct reading from the preface is:
'Emperor Wu was daydreaming of Lady Li,
and his longing had not ceased.'
The misquoted line, however, if read as closely as possible in Chinese, is:
'Emperor Wu had a daydream,
(in which he saw) Lady Li's longing had ceased.'
The story of Lady Li and the Soul-Returning Incense is a famous classic reference and was originally also a poem by 白居易 Bai Juyi, which I imagine the author of the youkai illustration book and the novel used as reference a long time ago.
I dedicate this poem above to the ghost of Lady Li,
of whom I do not yet know if she has ceased,
and who has not (and perhaps never have) yet crossed into the realm of cessation.
It also serves as a good but somewhat loose interpretation
capturing the original spirit of that misquoted excerpt above,
because it is Spring.
And in Spring, as the saying goes, "things should be merry."
…
ignore this part plz, this is for me
translated to japanese and chinese
how would you render in japanese and chinese "fume and perfume" here?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
To translate "fume and perfume," the context is crucial, as it could imply a play on words, sensory impressions, or contrasting meanings. Here's how it could be rendered:
Japanese
薫煙と香水 (Kun'en to Kōsui)
薫煙 (kun'en) = Fume, with a nuance of aromatic smoke (like incense or burning herbs).
香水 (kōsui) = Perfume, literally "fragrant water."
This keeps the sensory contrast intact.
煙と香気 (Kemuri to Kōki)
煙 (kemuri) = Smoke, a more neutral term for "fume."
香気 (kōki) = Fragrance or scent, poetic and elevated.
This emphasizes the difference between a raw, smoky fume and a refined, elegant perfume.
ふきゅう と ふうきゅう (Fukyū to Fūkyū)
A play on phonetics using kanji:
浮朽 (fukyū) = Floating decay, metaphorical "fume."
風薫 (fūkyū) = Wind-borne fragrance, "perfume."
This aligns with layered meanings and wordplay.
Chinese
烟与香水 (Yān yǔ Xiāngshuǐ)
烟 (yān) = Smoke, straightforward for "fume."
香水 (xiāngshuǐ) = Perfume, literally "fragrant water."
Simple and direct.
烟雾与香气 (Yānwù yǔ Xiāngqì)
烟雾 (yānwù) = Smoke or vapor, emphasizing "fume" as something less tangible.
香气 (xiāngqì) = Fragrance or aroma, poetic and sensory.
Balances the contrast between coarse and refined scents.
薰与芬芳 (Xūn yǔ Fēnfāng)
薰 (xūn) = A term for smoke or fume, often aromatic or soft.
芬芳 (fēnfāng) = Sweet fragrance, elegant and elevated.
Highlights the duality in a more literary style.
Let me know if you want the phonetic versions or further refinements for a specific tone or poetic context!
4o
You said:
"Emperor Wu preferred (in his harem) Lady Li out of all his mistresses. (And after her death, one day,) In Spring He had a strange daydream. He dreamt, out of all things there could be, That Lady Li had then ceased her longing--- Thus he bade in a hurry for the al-chemists To immolate the fabled soul-turning incense. His royal decree, (by Lord's might), announced: For Lady Li's gilded apparition To show ghostly In the form of the hazy fume and perfume And beloved, purple gaze of her eyes Before him to loom once more."
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
This is a wonderfully evocative piece with a strong poetic and mystical tone. Here’s how it could be rendered in both Japanese and Chinese, preserving the imagery and rhythm:
Japanese Translation
武帝は妾の中に
麗人李夫人を一番愛しき。
（彼女が亡くなりし後、ある日、）
春に奇しき夢を見たり。
思えば、あらゆることの中で、
李夫人の切なさが尽きた夢。
急ぎて仙術士を召され、
伝説の「魂転じの香」を焚けと命ず。
王の御旨（神威にて）、
李夫人の金粉の幻影を、
幽けき煙と香の形にて、
愛しき紫の瞳のまぼろし、
再び我が前に現れよ、と。
Chinese Translation
武帝在后宫佳丽中，
尤爱李夫人胜众妾。
（而她身逝之后一日，）
春中竟得奇梦一场：
梦见，万般可能之中，
夫人竟断相思之念。
于是急召方士进宫，
焚起那传说中的“回魂香”。
天子旨意昭昭（凭神威），
命李夫人金粉幻影，
化作烟气与幽香之形，
那深紫眸光的迷影，
再现于龙颜之前。
Both versions aim to keep the mysticism and regal tone intact while adhering to the poetic structure. Would you like further refinements or adjustments?
4o
You said:
"And indeed gradually she did come, Slowly, slowly it turned--- Real as the cold truth and untruth, In late eventide's brown buzzing swoon Of mist, effigies, incantations and candle smoke, And that intangible Building of mirage."
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Here are poetic translations into Japanese and Chinese, maintaining the ethereal and mystical tone of the original:
Japanese Translation
そして遂に彼女は徐々に来たり、
ゆっくりと、ゆっくりと回り始めぬ。
冷たき真実と虚偽のごとく、
夕暮れ遅く、茶褐のざわめきにて――
霧、幻像、呪文、蝋燭の煙が混じり合い、
そして、掴めぬまま
蜃気楼のごとく築かれしものよ。
Chinese Translation
而她果然渐渐而来，
缓缓地，缓缓地转动。
如同冰冷的真相与虚妄，
于黄昏将尽之时，褐色嗡鸣中，
迷雾、幻像、咒语与烛烟交织，
还有那不可捉摸的
海市蜃楼般的构筑。
Both translations aim to capture the dreamy, intangible atmosphere of the scene. Let me know if you'd like any tweaks or a specific focus on certain imagery!
4o
You said:
"Out of greatest sorrow allowed to a Man, He was driven like a sanguine donkey, to perform a song: "It is right there, Is it not? Hazy and yet savory like yester-night's Unripe, yellowed blossom of an apricot. Like a buffet in spring, it re-turned, Through the hilly region's vapour and rain, Like a throng of summer crickets, it again went to churn: A rigid drop, a huff and a solid buff, Rounds of wild, swinging coughs."
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Here’s a poetic translation into Japanese and Chinese, capturing the layered imagery and emotional weight of the original:
Japanese Translation
許されし人の悲しみの極みに、
血気の驢馬の如く駆られ、歌を奏す：
「そこに在りぬ、そうではないか？
霞みつつも、昨夜の如き風味あり、
熟れぬ、黄味がかった杏の花のごとし。
春の饗宴の如く、再び巡り来たり、
丘陵地の霧と雨を越えて、
夏の蟋蟀の群れの如く、また掻き乱す：
堅き一滴、一吹き、堅き叩き、
野性に揺れ動く咳の連鎖。」
Chinese Translation
在世人所能承受之至悲中，
他如血气方刚的驴般被驱使，奏起一曲：
“它就在那，不是吗？
迷蒙却又芬芳，宛如昨夜
未熟的、微黄的杏花一般。
像春日的盛宴，它重又归来，
穿过丘陵间的烟雾与细雨，
如夏夜成群的蟋蟀，再次搅动：
一滴凝固，一声喘息，一记沉击，
野性回荡之咳声轮转。”
These translations retain the musicality, vivid imagery, and emotional tension of the original, adapting the unique metaphors into each language's poetic sensibility. Let me know if you'd like to refine any specific part further!
4o
You said:
"I see it all with my neck askew (At this very angle, the ceaseless view) Again and again, to be stewed anew--- So late and so quick from last eve's buzz Her deep, glowing glower rises with Her body throughout in blue, and I said: 'And indeed, gradually she did came Slowly, slowly it turned'... So late the arrival and so soon again For the high departure Through all of the jade cucurbite (Then out of jawy retorts) My heart's sole waning preferment..."
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Here’s how your evocative piece could be rendered in Japanese and Chinese, preserving its surreal, poetic quality:
Japanese Translation
すべてを見る、傾ぐ首のままに
（この角度にて、
絶え間なき景色を）
またしても、煮え返るが如く繰り返される――
昨夜のざわめきより、遅くも速くも
彼女の深く、輝く睨みが昇り、
その身は青に染まりし中、我言えり：
『そして遂に、徐々に彼女は来たりぬ、
ゆっくりと、ゆっくりと回り始めぬ』…
その遅き訪れ、また早き
高き旅立ちのために。
翡翠の瓢箪を巡り抜け、
（顎の如き蒸留器より放たれ）
我が心のただひとつの、翳りゆく嗜みを。
Chinese Translation
我以歪曲的颈项看尽一切
（正是在这个角度，
那无尽的景象）
反复重现，如同重新熬煮一般——
昨夜的喧嚣，来得既迟又快，
她那深邃、熠熠生辉的凝视升起，
她的身影通体染于蓝色，我说道：
“而她果然渐渐而来，
缓缓地，缓缓地转动”…
来得如此之晚，却又如此迅疾地
为了那至高的离去。
穿越整个翡翠葫芦之间，
（再从似颚之蒸馏器中逸出）
唯我心中那日渐衰微的偏爱。
Both translations maintain the piece's rich metaphors, rhythmic flow, and surreal imagery while aligning with the poetic traditions of Japanese and Chinese. Let me know if you'd like any fine-tuning!
translated into chinese then back into english with chatGPT
(record of shame)
"漢武帝於后宮之眾， 獨愛李夫人為最。 (及夫人早逝，忽一日春夢奇異，) 夢見夫人竟無長思之苦。 於是匆命方士， 燃焚傳說中返魂之香。 天子詔令，承主威嚴，宣佈： 願夫人金身之幻影， 隱然於紫煙繚繞， 與其芳香盈室， 現於朦朧霧中， 重現於其至愛之目。 果然，夫人冉冉而來， 徐徐緩緩，漸漸顯現。 真似現實，亦如幻境， 至薄暮蟲鳴幽靜之時， 迷霧、靈像、咒語與燭煙， 以及那無形無影之 幻象築成。 哀至極處，人所難忍， 武帝悲歌而作： 「此即在前，是也非也？ 朦朧而且芬芳，宛如昨夜未熟之 黃梅花朵，迷醉春宴中再返。 穿越山間的蒸汽與細雨， 如夏蟬之群響，再度於胸間翻湧； 一滴堅實，一息輕叹， 聲聲陣陣，咳嗽不已。」 「我偏首而望， (於此角度， 不斷重見此景)， 屢屢凝視，如湯煮舊念； 來得太遲，又去得太快， 昨夕之微醺才逝， 而夫人深目含光，復浮於藍影之中，於是我言： 『果然，夫人冉冉而來， 徐徐緩緩，漸漸顯現。』 來之遲遲，而別亦迅速； 於翠玉葫蘆中穿行， (再由噴吐之器) 吾心獨愛，如月虧而不滿矣。」"
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Translation:
The Han Emperor Wu, among the many in his harem,
Loved none as deeply as Lady Li.
(When the Lady passed away early, one spring day,
A strange dream came to him.)
In his dream, the Lady appeared,
Free of the pains of longing and separation.
Thus, he hastily summoned a sorcerer,
To burn the legendary incense of soul-retrieval.
By imperial decree, with the might of the sovereign’s will,
It was proclaimed:
May the golden form of the Lady’s phantom,
Emerge amidst the curling purple smoke,
With its fragrance filling the chamber,
Appearing within the hazy mist,
To be seen once more by her beloved.
Indeed, the Lady slowly arose,
Step by step, softly, gradually,
Her image taking form.
So real she seemed, yet so dreamlike,
Until the dusk, when the cicadas’ song grew faint,
The mist, the phantom, the spell, and the candle smoke,
Along with that formless, shadowless vision,
Conjured a scene.
Grief reached its peak, unbearable to the human heart.
Emperor Wu sang in sorrow:
"This was once before me—yet is it, or is it not?
So faint and fragrant, like the half-bloomed
Yellow plum blossoms of last night, intoxicating
And returning anew to the spring banquet.
Through the mountain mists and gentle rain,
Like the chorus of summer cicadas,
It surges once more within my chest;
A single solid drop, a fleeting sigh,
Each sound echoing, coughing unceasingly."
"I turn my head and gaze,
(From this angle,
The vision returns again and again.)
I stare intently, like simmering old thoughts;
Arriving too late, departing too soon,
The tipsy haze of last night barely fades,
And once more, the Lady's deep eyes, gleaming with light,
Emerge within the blue shadows.
And thus I say:
'Indeed, the Lady slowly arose,
Step by step, softly, gradually,
Her image taking form.'
Yet she arrives so slowly, and departs so swiftly,
Traversing through the emerald gourd,
(Emerging from the vessel’s breath.)
My heart’s sole love, like the waning moon,
Never full again."