Cast & Chart

Omikuji lot 43 of 100

Deer Chased Along the Stream

吉 Kichi, Good fortune

月桂將相滿

追鹿映山溪

貴人乘遠箭

好事好相宐

The cassia in the moon is nearly full.

Chasing a deer, mirrored in a mountain stream.

A person of standing rides a far-flying arrow.

Good things suit one another well.

What this lot says

The moon with its cassia tree is close to round. A hunter follows a deer beside a mountain stream, and the water holds their reflection. Someone of high rank is pictured on an arrow going a long way, and the verse ends by saying good matters fit together.

The book's printed grade is Kichi, Good fortune. A nearly full moon and a chase still under way leave the outcome open, and the closing line supplies the good mood.

For the present-day reader, the charm of this scene is in pursuit that is pleasant while it lasts. What are you chasing that has been worth the walk along the stream?

A lot is a prompt for reflection. It cannot promise a result, and it is no substitute for medical, legal or financial advice.

The printed text

Where the 1684 printing differs

  • Line 4, character 3: 1684 printing has 始.

Credits

The verse and grade were read from the two scanned printings named here. The title, translation and reading are our own and modern.

Our own English. The kana commentary printed under each verse in the old books was not read.