住みわびぬ今はかぎりと山里に
身をかくすべき宿求めてむ
身をかくすべき宿求めてむ
- Roma-ji
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Sumiwabinu ima wa kagiri to yamazato ni
mi o kakusubeki yado motometemu - English Translation
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Having grown weary of living,
Now at last, I shall seek
A dwelling in the mountain village
Where I may hide myself,
For this, I fear, is my final time.
- Meaning
- I have grown weary of living in the capital. Now, at last, I must seek a dwelling in the mountain village where I can hide myself, for this may be my final opportunity.
- Commentary
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59. Weary of Living
A man, perhaps frustrated with life in the capital, resolved to live in the eastern hills along the Kamo River, composing this poem with strong intent.
This poem is a more world-weary adaptation of Ariwara no Narihira's verse, recorded in the 'Gosen Wakashū' (Miscellaneous One), which read: "Having grown weary of living, now at last I shall seek a lodging in the mountain village where I may stack firewood." The adaptation emphasizes the speaker’s desire to escape and hide from the world.
- Source
- Ise Monogatari
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