Like the first young grass,
Why are these words so strange to me?
So rare and sudden;
Without suspicion till now
I have thought of nothing at all.

Meaning

Like the first young grass found in early spring, your words are strangely rare and unexpected; until now I have thought of nothing, without any suspicion, believing only that we were brother and sister.

Commentary

49. So Tender and Young

This poem is the younger sister’s reply to the poem composed by her brother: “So tender and young, fresh young grass, fair to lie on—thus it seems to me; that someone will bind it close for a pillow—this I think on.”

It expresses the sister’s surprise and bewilderment at receiving a poem filled with romantic feeling from her brother.
Stories in which an elder brother is drawn to his fresh and beautiful younger sister are also depicted in The Tale of Genji and in the Nurigome-bon, in both cases in scenes where he sees his sister playing the koto.

Source

Ise Monogatari

Other

Now at last I know How bitter a thing it is To wait for someone; I should not have stayed away From the place where one would wait.
So tender and young, Fresh young grass, fair to lie on— Thus it seems to me; That someone will bind it close For a pillow—this I think on.
If birds’ eggs were piled, Ten upon ten, layered high— Even were it so, Would one love a person who Does not think of him at all?
Morning dew may yet Remain without vanishing— Such it might well be; But who in this fleeting world Could rely on anyone?

Like the first young grass, Why are these words so strange to me? So rare and sudden; Without suspicion till now I have thought of nothing at all.

Like the first young grass,
Why are these words so strange to me?
So rare and sudden;
Without suspicion till now
I have thought of nothing at all.