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
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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
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Ise Monogatari
- Other
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