The pines of Ōyodo
Are not cruel at heart—
Yet like the returning waves,
That come only to the shore
And turn back in resentment.
- Meaning
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The pines growing on the shore of Ōyodo are not heartless, yet you are like the waves that come to the shore only to complain in resentment and then turn back again.
- Commentary
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72. The Pines of Ōyodo
A certain man could not meet again the woman who lived in the province of Ise, and he set out for the neighboring province of Owari. The man complained in resentment that the woman would not meet him.
The poem was composed by the woman in reply to the man’s complaint.
In the poem the pine tree represents the woman, and the waves represent the man. The woman, waiting on the shore of Ōyodo, is not cold-hearted, yet the man came only partway, complained that she would not meet him, and then turned back like waves that never reach the pine but withdraw from the shore.
"The pines of Ōyodo" refers to the pines growing along the coast of Taki District in Ise. The word "pine" (matsu) also carries the meaning "to wait."
- Source
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Ise Monogatari
- Other
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