Oshimu tote tomaru koto koso katakarame waga koromode o hoshite dani yuke - Shui Wakashu(English Translation & Meaning)

惜しむとて止まる事こそかたからめ
わが衣手を干してだに行け

Roma-ji: Oshimu tote tomaru koto koso katakarame waga koromode o hoshite dani yuke
English Translation: Though I grieve, I know
it would be hard for you
to stay behind, so
at least before you go,
dry these sleeves of mine.
Meaning: However I grieve, it would be hard for you to stay; at least dry my tear-soaked sleeves before you go.
Commentary: Book Six Parting Poems 329

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Topic unknown"
The poet says that, however one grieves, it would be hard for the traveler to stay, so at least he should dry the tear-soaked sleeves before going. Accepting that the traveler cannot be held back, the poem expresses the poignant wish to be together at least until the tears are dry.

First line, "oshimu tote," means "though I grieve." The first lines of 316 and 322 in this book also begin with "oshimu."
Second line, "tomaru koto koso," means "staying," emphasized by the particle "koso."
Third line, "katakarame," means "though it would be hard," with "me" the perfective form of the conjectural auxiliary "mu," resolving "koso" and running on into the lower verse as a concession.
Fourth line, "waga koromode o," means "my sleeves." It answers the wet sleeves of 326 in this book through the tears on the sleeves.
Final line, "hoshite dani yuke," means "at least dry them before you go," with "dani" expressing a minimal wish and "yuke" an imperative.
Author: Unknown Poet
Source: Shui Wakashu
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