枕とて草ひき結ぶこともせじ
秋の夜とだにたのまれなくに
秋の夜とだにたのまれなくに
- Roma-ji
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Makura tote kusa hikimusubu koto mo seji
aki no yo to dani tanomarenaku ni - English Translation
-
Even for a pillow
I would not bind gathered grass—
For on this spring night
Not even the autumn night
Can be relied on for length.
- Meaning
- I will not even bind grasses together for a pillow on a journey, for on this night I cannot rely on it being as long as an autumn night.
- Commentary
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83. The Grass Pillow
Long ago Prince Koretaka often went from the capital to the detached palace at Minase. As usual, the elderly head of the Horse Bureau accompanied him on the falconry outing. After spending several days there, they returned to the palace in the capital.
The head of the Horse Bureau escorted the prince back to the palace and tried to return quickly to his own residence, but the prince served wine and would not let him leave, wishing to give him gifts as a reward for accompanying the hunt and for seeing him back.
The poem was composed by the head of the Horse Bureau, who wished to obtain permission to return home.
At the time it was the third month of the lunar calendar, and the prince did not go to his sleeping chamber but spent the whole night together with his attendants.
Since a late spring night is not as long as an autumn night, the poem means that he wishes to return home quickly and sleep. It also reveals the relationship between the head of the Horse Bureau, who could compose such a poem even to Prince Koretaka of the imperial family, and the prince, who nevertheless kept him up through the night.
The head of the Horse Bureau was Ariwara no Narihira, who was related by marriage to Prince Koretaka.
- Source
- Ise Monogatari
- Other
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- Not yet satisfied, Yet already does the moon Hide itself away— Would that the mountain’s far edge Might flee and not let it in.
- Everywhere alike, Would that all the mountain peaks Might become quite flat— If there were no mountain edge, The moon would not slip behind.
- Forgetting all else, I can only think it a dream— Had I ever thought That, parting the deep-fallen snow, I would come to see you here?
- Now that I am old, They say there is a parting None can turn aside— All the more I long to see You, my dear and cherished one.