たらちねの親のまもりとあひそふる
心許りはせきなとどめそ
心許りはせきなとどめそ
- Roma-ji
-
Tarachine no oya no mamori to aisouru
kokoro bakari wa seki na todome so - English Translation
-
As your mother's guard,
my heart goes along with you;
let that heart alone
not be stopped nor held back fast
by the barriers on your way.
- Meaning
- As a mother's protection, let at least my heart, which goes with my child, not be stopped by the barriers along the road.
- Commentary
-
Book Eight: Poems of Parting
This poem was composed by the mother of Ono no Chifuru when he departed to take up his post as Assistant Governor of Mutsu.
Unable to accompany her son on his journey, the mother sends only her heart with him, praying for his safety. The phrase "seki na todome so" carries a double meaning, referring both to the checkpoint barriers and to being obstructed or held back. Since he would have to pass through many checkpoints on his way to his provincial appointment, the poem expresses a mother's wish that he reach his destination without hardship or delay.
"Tarachine no" is a pillow word associated with "parent," especially "mother."
"Suke" (Assistant Governor) was the second-highest provincial office, serving as the deputy administrator of a province.
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
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