Kazukedomo nami no naka ni wa sagurarete kaze fuku goto ni ukishizumu tama - Kokin Wakashu(English Translation & Meaning)

かづけども波のなかにはさぐられて
風吹くごとに浮き沈む玉

Roma-ji: Kazukedomo nami no naka ni wa sagurarete kaze fuku goto ni ukishizumu tama
English Translation: Though I dive for it,
deep within the waves I can
only grope about—
each time the wind comes blowing
the jewel floats and sinks again.
Meaning: Though I dive down after it, I can only grope blindly in the waves; with every gust of wind, the jewel rises and sinks again.
Commentary: Book Ten Names of Things 427

Headnote: "Kaniwa cherry"
This poem says that even diving for it, one can only grope in the waves for the jewel that floats and sinks with every gust of wind. The title "kaniwazakura" (a kind of birch-bark cherry) is hidden in "naka ni wa sagurarete" across the second and third lines. It likens foam bobbing on the waves to a jewel that cannot be grasped, sharing the idea of 424 in this book, where the jewels of the waves vanish if gathered.
The poet, "Tsurayuki," is Ki no Tsurayuki. A son of Ki no Mochiyuki, he was the leading compiler of the Kokinshu and wrote its Kana Preface. He is also known as the author of the Tosa Diary.

First line "Kazukedomo" joins "kazuku" (to dive) with the concessive "domo," meaning "though I dive."
Second line "nami no naka ni wa" means "within the waves," and the title begins with "ka ni wa."
Third line "sagurarete" means "being groped for." The title "kaniwazakura" is hidden in the run from the second line, depicting one who dives yet only gropes without grasping the jewel.
Fourth line "kaze fuku goto ni" means "each time the wind blows," implying rising waves.
Fifth line "ukishizumu tama" ends on a noun, leaving a vivid image of foam jewels bobbing among the waves.
Author: Ki no Tsurayuki
Source: Kokin Wakashu
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