The one who looks on
that snow fallen on a head
grown old with the years
wets, no less than he does, his
own sleeve on this morning here

Meaning

The one who looks at that snow settled on an aged head wets his own sleeve this morning no less than the old man does.

Commentary

Part One: Suetsumuhana

　As Genji was leaving, he saw an old gatekeeper standing near the gate, shivering in the cold. The poor clothing, the white head under its covering of snow—the sight of how life was lived in that ruined house went through him. He spoke this poem then. Afterward he began sending clothing and food and generally providing for the household.

　"Snow on the head" means both white hair and the snow actually lying there. Likening age to snow is an old poetic conceit, and the poem works from it. "The one who looks wets his sleeve no less" says his own sleeve is as wet as the old man's, tears for that white head running together with the damp of a thawing morning. Disappointed in her looks and yet plainly moved by the poverty of her life, Genji shows both his sides in this one poem.

Author

Murasaki Shikibu

Source

Genji Monogatari

Other

The one who looks on that snow fallen on a head grown old with the years wets, no less than he does, his own sleeve on this morning here

The one who looks on
that snow fallen on a head
grown old with the years
wets, no less than he does, his
own sleeve on this morning here