Though not enough yet,
I give this rock in its place—
No color is seen;
For there is no fitting way
To show the heart within me.
- Meaning
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Though it is not enough, I offer this rock in place of my heart, for there is no way to show the feelings within me that cannot be seen outwardly.
- Commentary
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78. Though It Is Not Enough
Long ago there was a lady of the court called Takagiko. After she died, the forty-ninth day memorial service was held at Anshō-ji. Fujiwara no Tsuneyuki, the Captain of the Right Imperial Guards, visited a prince who had become a monk and lived in Yamashina on his way back from the service.
"For several years I have served you from afar, but I have not yet served at your side. Tonight I wish to attend upon you here," he said. The prince was pleased and ordered preparations for lodging.
Tsuneyuki wondered whether it would be proper to serve the prince without bringing anything. When Emperor Seiwa had once visited the residence of Tsuneyuki’s father Yoshisuke, an elegant stone had been presented. Because it was offered after the imperial visit, it had been left unattended before someone’s room. Since the prince was fond of gardens, Tsuneyuki had someone go to retrieve that stone to present it to him.
Thinking that simply presenting the elegant stone would be dull, Tsuneyuki asked the man who held the office of Head of the Right Horse Guards to compose a poem.
The Head of the Right Horse Guards was an official post, and the one who held it at that time was Ariwara no Narihira.
- Source
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Ise Monogatari
- Other
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