忍ぶれど恋しき時はあしひきの
山より月の出でてこそ来れ
山より月の出でてこそ来れ
- Roma-ji
-
Shinoburedo koishiki toki wa ashihiki no yama yori tsuki no idete koso kure
- English Translation
-
Though I hide my love,
when the longing grows too strong,
like the moon that climbs
out from the rugged mountain,
I too come forth to you
- Meaning
- Though I keep my love hidden, when longing overwhelms me I come out to you, just as the moon rises out from behind the mountains.
- Commentary
-
Book Thirteen Love Poems III 633
Headnote: "Topic unknown."
Even while keeping love secret, when longing grows too strong, the poet comes out to the beloved just as the moon rises from the mountain ridge. Overlaying the moon emerging from the mountains with a self who cannot help going out, it entrusts a love meant to be hidden, yet impossible to hide, to the bright light of the moon.
The author, recorded as Tsurayuki, is Ki no Tsurayuki. He was a son of Ki no Mochiyuki, the leading compiler of the Kokinshu, and the author of its kana preface. He is counted among the Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals.
Where Narihira in the preceding poem was stopped by the gatekeeper, this poem speaks for the one who ventures out, entrusting himself to the moon, so that poems of the lover's path continue.
The first line, "shinoburedo," means "though I hide it," continuing with the adversative do.
The second line, "koishiki toki wa," means "when I long unbearably," setting a condition.
The third line, "ashihiki no," is a pillow word for "mountain."
The fourth line, "yama yori tsuki no," means "as the moon from the mountain," overlaying moonrise with the lover's setting out.
The final line, "idete koso kure," means "I do come forth," closing the koso construction with the realis kure, and overlays the moon coming out with the lover leaving home to come.
- Author
- Ki no Tsurayuki
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
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