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?
- Meaning
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Forgetting the world as it was, I can only think this must be a dream. I never imagined that, parting the deep snow, I would come to see you living here in seclusion.
- 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. He had always attended the prince in such close familiarity, yet quite unexpectedly the prince shaved his head and entered the religious life.
At the New Year he went to pay his respects at Ono, at the foot of Mount Hiei, where the snow lay deep. Though it was the New Year, unlike the days when he held office, the prince now had nothing to occupy him and appeared somewhat lonely. So he stayed beside him for a long time, speaking together as they recalled the past.
The poem was composed by the head of the Horse Bureau as he had to return to the capital at dusk, reciting it through tears.
The head of the Horse Bureau was Ariwara no Narihira, who was related by marriage to Prince Koretaka. The prince had once enjoyed the favor of Emperor Montoku and had prospects of becoming crown prince, but he was pushed aside during the consolidation of Fujiwara power. The poem expresses Narihira’s feelings as he reflects on the changed fate of the prince he had long served with affection.
- Source
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Ise Monogatari
- Other
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