Tayori ni mo aranu omoi no ayashiki wa kokoro o hito ni tsukuru narikeri - Gosen Wakashu(English Translation & Meaning)

たよりにもあらぬ思ひのあやしきは
心を人につくるなりけり

Roma-ji: Tayori ni mo aranu omoi no ayashiki wa kokoro o hito ni tsukuru narikeri
English Translation: The strange thing
about a love that springs
from no cause at all
is that it fastens my heart
so wholly upon you
Meaning: What is strange about a love that arises from no occasion at all is that it fastens my heart upon you.
Commentary: Book Ten Love Poems II 687

Headnote: "Sent after he had caught a fleeting glimpse of someone."
The poet says the strange thing about a love arising without cause is that it fastens his heart upon her. Marveling at himself for being drawn in after only a glimpse, he conveys his feelings for her.
According to the headnote, he sent it after catching a fleeting glimpse of someone. Following "omoi tsuku" in the preceding poem, 686, this poem too sings of fastening the heart upon someone.
The poet, called "Tsurayuki," is Ki no Tsurayuki. He was one of the compilers of the Kokin Wakashū and served as Governor of Tosa, among other posts. Known also as the author of the Tosa Diary, he is one of the Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals.

The first line, "Tayori ni mo," means "as any occasion."
The second line, "aranu omoi no," means "of a love that arises without one."
The third line, "ayashiki wa," means "the strange thing."
The fourth line, "kokoro o hito ni," means "my heart upon you."
The last line, "tsukuru narikeri," means "is that it fastens it, I find," with "keri" expressing the exclamation of realization. It echoes "omoi tsuku" in the preceding poem.
Author: Ki no Tsurayuki
Source: Gosen Wakashu
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