Asakeredo iwama no mizu wa sumihatete
yado moru kimi ya kakehanarubeki

English Translation

Shallow though it is,
the water among the stones
runs clear and stays on—
while she who kept this house must
go, and be parted from it

Meaning

Shallow though it is, the water among the stones runs clear and stays; and she who kept this house must go from it.

Commentary

Part One: Makibashira

　As the household left, the women took leave of one another. Moku no Kimi belonged to the Commander's service and would remain; Chujo no Omoto was to go with the mistress. It was Chujo who spoke first, with this poem, adding that she had never expected it, and that now she must part from her friend as well. Both had known the Commander's favor, and now stood at the point where one would stay and the other go.

　"Water among the stones" is shallow water, standing for Moku, whose tie with the Commander was the slighter. "Sumihatete" plays running perfectly clear against dwelling on to the end—that is, staying in the house. "She who kept this house" is the wife. "Kakehanaru," to be parted, sounds "kage," the image on the water. That the one with the shallower claim remains while the mistress of the house departs is against all reason: envy and grief are both in it. Turning the imagery of water to name a reversal of positions, it is a parting poem with the particular wit of these serving women.

Author

Murasaki Shikibu

Source

Genji Monogatari

Other

Asakeredo iwama no mizu wa sumihatete yado moru kimi ya kakehanarubeki

Asakeredo iwama no mizu wa sumihatete
yado moru kimi ya kakehanarubeki