The towing rope of
our boat, held back and drawn in
by the sound of strings—
this heart of mine that wavers,
do you know any of it
- Meaning
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Like a towing rope held back by the sound of a koto, my heart wavers—do you know anything of it?
- Commentary
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Part One: Suma
About this time the Dazai Deputy's party passed Suma on its way up to the capital from his post. Hearing that Genji was there, the daughters felt shy even inside the boat and took pains with their appearance. The Gosechi dancer especially was sorry to be towed past, and when the sound of a koto came to them on the wind the whole party wept. Presently this poem was sent across to him.
"The sound of the koto" is Genji playing. "Tsunade-nawa" is the rope by which a boat is towed, taking the scene of the passing boat directly into the poem. "Tayutau" is to sway or hesitate, playing the slack of a rope against a mind that cannot settle. She hangs her wish to stay on one concrete object, and puts a whole feeling into a moment of passing. She adds that he must not think her forward.
- Author
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Murasaki Shikibu
- Source
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Genji Monogatari
- Other
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