That pledged heart—
how cruel it seems, that of hers;
for Tanabata,
to meet but once a year—
can such a meeting be called meeting?

Meaning

How cruel is the heart that made such a vow: for Tanabata, to meet only once a year—can such a meeting truly be called meeting?

Commentary

Book Four Autumn Poems (Part One)

This poem was paired in a poetry contest held in the imperial court during the Kanpyō era.

It is composed from the perspective of Hikoboshi. Although it is said that he and Orihime meet only once a year at Tanabata, it is imagined that this was a vow made by Orihime. Yet her seeming coldness makes it difficult for him to accept—can meeting only once a year truly be called a meeting at all?

Author

Fujiwara no Okikaze

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

Longing, longing still, the night we meet is tonight— O Heaven’s River, let the mist rise and linger, and never let the dawn break.
Heaven’s River— not knowing the shallows, I traced the white-breaking waves; before I could cross it all, the dawn had already come.
Year after year though they are said to meet thus— at Tanabata, the nights they lie together are but few in number.
Like threads once lent to the Weaver Maiden’s loom— drawn out and joined thus, shall this love endure so long, stretching through the passing years?

That pledged heart— how cruel it seems, that of hers; for Tanabata, to meet but once a year— can such a meeting be called meeting?

That pledged heart—
how cruel it seems, that of hers;
for Tanabata,
to meet but once a year—
can such a meeting be called meeting?