Hanasusuki ho ni idete koiba na o oshimi shita yū himo no musubooretsutsu - Kokin Wakashu(English Translation & Meaning)

花すすきほに出でて恋ひば名を惜しみ
下結ふ紐の結ぼほれつつ

Roma-ji: Hanasusuki ho ni idete koiba na o oshimi shita yū himo no musubooretsutsu
English Translation: Like pampas grass in bloom,
if I let my love show in plumes,
I would grieve for my name,
so like the sash I tie beneath
my heart stays knotted tight
Meaning: If I let my love show like pampas grass putting forth its plumes, I would regret the rumors, so my heart stays knotted, like the sash tied beneath my robes.
Commentary: Book Thirteen Love Poems III 653

Headnote: "Topic unknown."
If love shows itself like pampas grass putting forth plumes, rumors will rise, which the poet would regret; so his longing stays knotted within, like a sash tied tight beneath the robes. With ho punning on "plume" and "outward show," and the knotted under-sash overlaid with a heart that cannot clear, it conveys the pain of love that cannot be shown.
The author, whose name is written in kana in the text, is Ono no Harukaze. He was a son of Ono no Iwao and is said to have distinguished himself as a military officer in suppressing the Gangyo Rebellion.

The first line, "hanasusuki," is pampas grass in plume, leading into ho.
The second line, "ho ni idete koiba," uses ho as a pivot word for "plume" and "outward show," meaning "if I love openly."
The third line, "na o oshimi," means "grudging my name," the suffix mi giving the reason.
The fourth line, "shita yū himo no," means "the under-sash tied," leading into musubooru.
The final line, "musubooretsutsu," overlays a tight knot with a heart that will not clear, ending on the continuative tsutsu for a lingering echo.
Author: Ono no Harukaze
Source: Kokin Wakashu
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