Though these sleeves of mine
Are no hut of woven grass,
When evening falls down,
They become a lodging place
Where the dewdrops come to rest.

Meaning

My sleeves are no hut thatched with grass, yet when evening falls they become a dwelling where the dewdrops come to rest.

Commentary

56. Though These Sleeves of Mine

A certain man, as he lay down to sleep, turned his thoughts over and over; rising again, he continued to brood, always thinking, until at last he composed this poem.

“Grass hut” and “lodging of dew” are linked expressions, for dew is conventionally said to rest upon the grass.
Here the dew is used in a personified way, as though it lodges even in a hut.
Most likely, thinking of the one he longs for, the man soaks his sleeves with tears, like dew that comes to rest upon a grass hut.

Source

Ise Monogatari

Other

Trusting to a dream That never reaches its end, Along that dream path— Upon my waiting sleeve Does heaven’s dew fall and rest?
You may well remain Without thinking of me now— So it might indeed; Yet at every passing word, I find myself trusting still.
Worn out by longing love, Like the "self-from" creature said To dwell in cut seaweed, I have shattered even this Body of mine, by my own will.
How desolate it stands— Alas, for how many ages Has this been a dwelling? Of the one who once lived here, There is not even a visit.

Though these sleeves of mine Are no hut of woven grass, When evening falls down, They become a lodging place Where the dewdrops come to rest.

Though these sleeves of mine
Are no hut of woven grass,
When evening falls down,
They become a lodging place
Where the dewdrops come to rest.