Karanishiki oshiki waga na wa tachihatete ika ni seyo to ka ima wa tsurenaki - Gosen Wakashu(English Translation & Meaning)

唐錦惜しき我が名はたち果てて
いかにせよとか今はつれなき

Roma-ji: Karanishiki oshiki waga na wa tachihatete ika ni seyo to ka ima wa tsurenaki
English Translation: Like Chinese brocade
cut through, my precious name
is wholly spread about—
what would you have me do,
that you are cold to me now
Meaning: As one cuts through precious brocade, my good name, so dear to me, is ruined by rumor—what do you want me to do, that you grow cold now?
Commentary: Book Ten Love Poems II 685

Headnote: "Sent to a man."
The poet asks what he expects her to do, now that her precious name has been spread abroad and he has turned cold. She reproaches a man who grew distant after their affair became known, speaking as a woman who has lost her good name.
According to the headnote, it was sent to a man. 634 in this book also sings of a precious reputation, sharing a woman's fear of rumor.
The poet is listed as "anonymous," and the composer's name has not come down to us.

The first line, "Karanishiki," is a fine brocade from China, leading to "oshi" and "tatsu."
The second line, "oshiki waga na wa," means "my precious name."
In the third line, "tachi" is a pivot word joining "cutting" the brocade and a reputation "spreading": "wholly spread about."
The fourth line, "ika ni seyo to ka," means "what would you have me do," with "ka" an interrogative particle.
The last line, "ima wa tsurenaki," means "that you are cold now," closing with the attributive "tsurenaki" in answer to "ka" in the fourth line, a kakarimusubi pattern.
Author: Unknown Poet
Source: Gosen Wakashu
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