Nagusayama koto ni shi arikeri aga kouru chie no hitoe mo nagusamenaku ni

名草山言にしありけり我が恋ふる
千重の一重も慰めなくに

Roma-ji: Nagusayama koto ni shi arikeri aga kouru chie no hitoe mo nagusamenaku ni
English Translation: Mount Nagusa,
"Consolation," only a name,
for of my longing
not one fold in a thousand
does it ever ease
Meaning: Mount Nagusa, "the mountain of solace"—it was only a name, for it does not ease even one fold in a thousand of my longing.
Commentary: Book Seven Miscellaneous Poems 1213

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Composed on Journeys"
Though Mount Nagusa echoes "nagusamu" (to console) in its name, it does not ease even a thousandth of the poet's longing, and he laments that it was only a name. Within the wordplay on the place name lies a deep longing for home and for a loved one.
The second line, "only a name," is the same as in poems 1132, 1149 and 1197 in this book, sharing the pattern of lamenting that a name proved empty. Mount Nagusa is in the south of present-day Wakayama City. It is regarded as coming from the Old Collection. The poet is unknown.

The first line names Mount Nagusa in Kii, echoing "nagusamu" (to console).
The second line, "only a name," pauses the poem.
The third line, "for of my longing," refers to the poet's yearning.
The fourth line, "not one fold in a thousand," means not even the slightest part.
The final line, "does it ever ease," echoes "Nagusa" in the first line with "nagusame" (console).
Source: Manyoshu
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