大島に水を運びし早舟の
はやくも人にあひ見てしかな
はやくも人にあひ見てしかな
- Roma-ji
-
Ōshima ni mizu o hakobishi hayafune no hayaku mo hito ni aimiteshi kana
- English Translation
-
Like the swift boat
that once carried water
out to Ōshima,
how swiftly I would wish
to meet the one I love
- Meaning
- Like the swift boat that carried water out to Ōshima, I long to meet my love as swiftly as I can.
- Commentary
-
Book Twelve Love Poems IV 829
Headnote: "Sent to a woman."
The poet says he wishes to meet his love as quickly as the swift boat that carried water to Ōshima. He overlaps the speed of a fast boat with the impatience of a heart that longs to meet her at once.
According to the headnote, the poem was sent to a woman. Its first three lines form a preface, and the sound of "hayafune" carries over into "hayaku mo," giving the poem a brisk rhythm.
The poet, Ōe no Asatsuna, was a grandson of Ōe no Otondo, he rose to Consultant. Excelling in Chinese poetry and prose, he was called "the Later Gō Shōkō," in contrast to his grandfather Otondo, who was known as "Gō Shōkō."
The first line, "Ōshima ni," means "to the island of Ōshima." Which island is meant is not certain.
The second line, "mizu o hakobishi," means "that carried water," with "shi" the attributive of the past auxiliary "ki."
The third line, "hayafune no," means "of the swift boat," the first three lines forming a preface that leads into "hayaku mo" through the same sound.
The fourth line, "hayaku mo hito ni," means "soon, with my love," receiving "hayafune" in the third line through sound.
The last line, "aimiteshi kana," means "how I wish to meet," with "teshi kana" expressing a wish.
- Author
- Ōe no Asatsuna
- Source
- Gosen Wakashu
- Prev Poem
-
Shiranami no uchiizuru hama no hamachidori ato ya tazunuru shirube naruran
- Next Poem
-
Hitaburu ni omoi na wabi so furusaruru hito no kokoro wa sore zo yo no tsune