大淀の松はつらくもあらなくに
うらみてのみもかへるなみ哉
うらみてのみもかへるなみ哉
- Roma-ji
-
Ōyodo no matsu wa tsuraku mo aranaku ni
uramite nomi mo kaeru nami kana - English Translation
-
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
- 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
- Ise Monogatari
- Other
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- 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.
- If you long for me, Then come and see me yourself— For it is no path That even the mighty gods Forbid us to follow.
- Seen with my own eyes, Yet never held in my hands— Like the moon’s laurel That stands within the bright moon, So indeed are you to me.
- Not a mountain range Where one treads on rocky roots Climbing peak on peak— Yet so many days pass by Without meeting, and I long.