あしひきの山辺にをれば白雲の
いかにせよとかはるる時なき
いかにせよとかはるる時なき
- Roma-ji
-
Ashihiki no yamabe ni oreba shirakumo no ika ni seyo to ka haruru toki naki
- English Translation
-
In the foot-dragging
mountains, where I make my home,
the clouds of white—
what would they have me do?
There is never a time they clear.
- Meaning
- Living here by the mountains, I find the white clouds never clear—what, I wonder, would they have me do?
- Commentary
-
Book Ten Names of Things 461
Headnote: "Yodo River"
This poem says that for one living near the mountains, the white clouds never clear, as if asking what one is supposed to do. The title "Yodogawa" (Yodo River) is hidden in "yo to ka ha" across the fourth and fifth lines. It expresses the gloom of a mountain dweller shut in by clouds that never lift, overlaying the unclearing clouds on a heart that cannot brighten. Continuing from the preceding poem with a river name as title, it contrasts with 430 in this book, where clouds drift away from the mountains, by showing clouds that stay fixed on them.
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 "Ashihiki no" is a pillow word modifying "yama" (mountain).
Second line "yamabe ni oreba" means "as I live near the mountains."
Third line "shirakumo no" means "the white clouds," giving the subject.
Fourth line "ika ni seyo to ka" means "what would they have me do?" with the interrogative particle "ka." The title begins with "yo to ka."
Fifth line "haruru toki naki" means "never a time of clearing," closing in the attributive form in answer to "ka." With the fourth line, "yo to ka ha" hides the title "Yodogawa."
- Author
- Ki no Tsurayuki
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
- Prev Poem
-
Ubatama no waga kurokami ya kawaru ramu kagami no kage ni fureru shirayuki
- Next Poem
-
Natsukusa no ue wa shigereru numamizu no yuku kata no naki waga kokoro kana