唐土も夢に見しかば近かりき
思はぬ仲ぞはるけかりける
思はぬ仲ぞはるけかりける
- Roma-ji
-
Morokoshi mo yume ni mishikaba chikakariki omowanu naka zo harukekarikeru
- English Translation
-
Even far Cathay
seemed close to me, for I saw it
when I lay dreaming;
it is a bond without love
that lies so very distant
- Meaning
- Even distant China seemed near when I saw it in a dream. It is a bond where love is not returned that truly lies far away.
- Commentary
-
Book Fifteen Love Poems V 768
Headnote: "Topic unknown."
Even China, far across the sea, seemed near when seen in a dream, yet the bond with one who does not love you is truly distant. Comparing physical and emotional distance, the poem offers the paradox that the gap between hearts is far greater. Following the preceding poem on dreams, it measures the distance of a relationship where one cannot meet even in dreams on another scale.
The author, "Kengei Hōshi," is the Priest Kengei. Little is known of his life.
The first line names China, to the people of that age the very emblem of a faraway land; mo adds "even."
In the second line shikaba, from the past ki with ba, gives the reason: because I saw it in a dream.
The third line ends firmly with the past ki, and the poem breaks here. It states the paradox that far China was near.
The fourth line speaks of a bond without mutual love, stressed by zo.
In the last line harukeshi means far away, and keru, attributive of keri, resolves zo. It contrasts with "was near" in the third line and expresses sudden realization.
- Author
- Priest Kengei
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
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