Before Mount White, might even light be lost?
Though I cast away the bowl, I still place my hope.

Meaning

Before your Mount White–like brilliance, might even light be lost? Even after casting away the bowl and forgetting my shame, I still place my hopes in you.

Commentary

Prince Ishitsukuri’s reply to Princess Kaguya’s poem, “Even the light of resting dew might well lodge—
on Mount Ogura, what was it you sought?”

“Mount White” is set against Mount Ogura and is an oblique metaphor for Princess Kaguya’s radiant beauty.

Having been seen through for presenting a false Buddha’s stone begging bowl, the prince cast the bowl away and composed this poem; yet Princess Kaguya would never answer his hopes.

Source

Taketori Monogatari

Other

Over sea and hills, I spent my heart upon the road; no sacred bowl found— from the bowl that was not there, blood-red tears flowed at last.
Even the light of resting dew might well lodge— on Mount Ogura, what was it you sought?
Though idly I would cast my life away, Had I not plucked the jeweled branch, I would not have returned.
With boundless longing, the fur robe burned not; The sleeves, once wet, are now dried— Today at last I will wear it.

Before Mount White, might even light be lost? Though I cast away the bowl, I still place my hope.

Before Mount White, might even light be lost?
Though I cast away the bowl, I still place my hope.