Though fiercely guarded,
Even the sacred hedge
Of the gods I’d cross—
Such is my longing to see
One who comes from the court.
- Meaning
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I would even cross the sacred hedge that surrounds the gods, so strong is my longing to see the one who has come from the imperial court.
- Commentary
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71. Though Fiercely Guarded
A certain man came to the residence of the Saigū at Ise as an imperial envoy. At the residence he spoke with a lady-in-waiting about matters of love.
The poem was composed by the lady, expressing her personal feelings.
A lady-in-waiting served people of high rank such as members of the imperial family. She did not perform tasks such as cooking or washing, but instead worked in roles similar to a nurse, tutor, or secretary, and she was given her own room. It was also usual that such women themselves belonged to the aristocracy.
Although she served as a lady-in-waiting to the Saigū, the poem expresses her impulsive feeling that she would even break the prohibitions in order to meet the man.
"Ōmiyabito" refers to a person who serves at the imperial court.
- Source
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Ise Monogatari
- Other
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