つらきをも恨みぬ我にならふなよ
憂き身を知らぬ人もこそあれ
憂き身を知らぬ人もこそあれ
- Roma-ji
-
Tsuraki o mo uraminu ware ni narau na yo ukimi o shiranu hito mo koso are
- English Translation
-
Do not grow used to
me, who holds no grudge against
all your cruelty;
there are others in this world
who know not their wretched place
- Meaning
- Do not grow used to me, who bears no grudge even against your coldness—there are others in this world who do not know their wretched place so well.
- Commentary
-
Book Thirteen Love Poems III 1227
Headnote: "Topic unknown."
This is the eighth poem of the sequence on resenting a cold-hearted lover and enduring the pain. Do not grow used to one who bears no grudge even against coldness, for there are others who do not know their place. The headnote gives no topic, and the circumstances of composition are not recorded.
The author, "Kojijū," was a daughter of Ki no Mitsukiyo, Superintendent of Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine, and served Emperors Nijō and Takakura.
The first line, "tsuraki o mo," means "even your coldness," carrying on the word "tsurashi" of the preceding poems.
The second line, "uraminu ware ni," means "to me, who bears no grudge." Where "mata mo uramime" in 1223 of this book postponed resentment, this poem presents a self who does not resent at all.
The third line, "narau na yo," means "do not grow used to," with a pause after the third line. "Na" is a final particle of prohibition.
The fourth line, "ukimi o shiranu," means "who do not know their wretched place."
The last line, "hito mo koso are," means "for there are such people, and that would be trouble." "Mo koso" expresses concern that something undesirable may happen. She herself does not resent, but other women will not be so forbearing—so she indirectly rebukes the lover's coldness.
- Author
- Kojiju
- Source
- Shin Kokin Wakashu
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