世を厭ふ名をだにもさはとどめおきて
数ならぬ身の思ひ出にせむ
数ならぬ身の思ひ出にせむ
- Roma-ji
-
Yo o itou na o dani mo sa wa todomeokite kazu naranu mi no omoide ni semu
- English Translation
-
Then let me at least
leave behind the name of one
who loathed the world,
and make of it the keepsake
of this self of no account.
- Meaning
- Then let me leave behind at least the name of one who loathed the world, as the one keepsake of this worthless self.
- Commentary
-
Book Eighteen Miscellaneous Poems III 1828
Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Topic unknown."
This is the sixth of the poems on loathing the world and the first of four by Saigyō. Then let him leave at least the name of one who loathed the world, as a keepsake of his worthless self. Though he can leave nothing else behind, he wishes at least to leave the name of one who renounced the world.
The author, "Saigyō Hōshi," is Saigyō. His lay name was Satō Norikiyo; he served Retired Emperor Toba as a guard of the Northern Quarters but took vows while young. He traveled the provinces composing poems, and his personal collection is the Sankashū.
The first line, "yo o itou," is the same as the first line of Jien's poem 1824 in this book, meaning to loathe and shun the world.
The second line, "na o dani mo sa wa," means "then at least the name." "Dani" expresses a minimal wish.
The third line, "todomeokite," means "leaving it behind." It has six syllables, one over the norm.
The fourth line, "kazu naranu mi no," means "of this self of no account."
The last line, "omoide ni semu," means "I will make it a keepsake." "Mu" expresses intention, showing his wish that renouncing the world alone be the proof that he lived.
- Author
- Saigyō
- Source
- Shin Kokin Wakashu
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Omoubeki waga nochi no yo wa aru ka naki ka nakereba koso wa kono yo ni wa sume
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Mi no usa o omoishirade ya yaminamashi somuku narai no naki yo nariseba