Kite kaeru na o nomi zo tatsu karakoromo shita yuu himo no kokoro tokeneba - Gosen Wakashu(English Translation & Meaning)

きて帰る名をのみぞたつ唐衣
下結ふ紐の心解けねば

Roma-ji: Kite kaeru na o nomi zo tatsu karakoromo shita yuu himo no kokoro tokeneba
English Translation: Coming and going,
all I make is just a name,
like a Chinese robe
whose inner cord is tied fast—
for your heart will not undo
Meaning: All I gain is a name for coming and going home again, for like the cord tied beneath a Chinese robe, your heart will not come undone.
Commentary: Book Thirteen Love Poems V 948

Headnote: "Composed when a woman told a man who often came to talk with her, 'Do not come anymore; people are saying unpleasant things.'"
The poet says that all he gains is a name for coming and going home again, since, like the cord tied beneath a Chinese robe, her heart will not come undone. He voices his discontent that only rumor grows while he visits without being granted a meeting, linking a chain of words tied to clothing.
According to the headnote, a woman told a man who often came to talk with her not to come anymore because people were speaking ill of them, and he answered with this. To the woman who worries over rumor, he complains of a bond that is all rumor and no substance.
The poet is listed as anonymous, and the composer's name has not come down to us.

The first line, "Kite kaeru," means "coming and going home," with "kite" joining "kite," having come, and "kite," having put on, related to the robe.
The second line, "na o nomi zo tatsu," means "only a name arises," with "tatsu" joining a name that arises and cloth that is cut. "Zo" is an emphatic binding particle closed by the attributive "tatsu." The poem pauses here.
The third line, "karakoromo," means "a Chinese robe," related to wearing, cutting and cords.
The fourth line, "shita yuu himo no," means "of the cord tied beneath," leading to "kokoro."
The last line, "kokoro tokeneba," means "since your heart does not come undone," overlaying the untying of a cord and the softening of a heart.
Author: Unknown Poet
Source: Gosen Wakashu
Prev Poem: Fuchi nagara hito kayowasaji namidagawa wataraba asaki se o mo koso mire
Next Poem: Taenu tomo nani omoiken namidagawa nagare au se mo arikeru mono o