Asakaranu chigiri musuberu kokoroba wa tamuke no kami zo shirubekarikeru - Shui Wakashu(English Translation & Meaning)

浅からぬ契り結べる心ばは
手向けの神ぞ知るべかりける

Roma-ji: Asakaranu chigiri musuberu kokoroba wa tamuke no kami zo shirubekarikeru
English Translation: This token of heart,
tied with a bond of promise
that is far from shallow—
the god to whom we make offerings
surely knows its depth.
Meaning: The depth of the heart in this token, tied with a bond that is far from shallow, the god of wayside offerings surely knows.
Commentary: Book Eight Miscellaneous Poems I 485

Headnote: "Sending offering cloths in a tied pouch to someone setting out on a journey"
The poet says that the god of wayside offerings surely knows the heart with which he has tied a bond that is far from shallow. The headnote shows it was composed when he sent offering cloths in a tied pouch as a parting gift to someone setting out on a journey. Overlaying the tying of the pouch's cord with the tying of a promise, and entrusting his heart to the "kokoroba," a decoration attached to gifts, he conveys his deep bond with the traveler. Following 458 in this book, it is another poem from when the author sent offering cloths to a departing traveler.
The author, written as Yoshinobu, is Ōnakatomi no Yoshinobu. A son of Ōnakatomi no Yorimoto, he served as chief priest of the Ise Shrine. He was one of the Five Men of the Pear Chamber and is counted among the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets.

First line, "asakaranu," means "far from shallow, deep."
Second line, "chigiri musuberu," means "that tied a promise," with "musube" overlaying the tying of the pouch's cord and "ru" the attributive form of the perfective "ri."
Third line, "kokoroba wa," means "this token," the decorative "kokoroba" attached to gifts, echoing the state of one's heart.
Fourth line, "tamuke no kami zo," means "the god of offerings," the god to whom travelers offer cloths and pray for safety on the road, with "zo" an emphatic particle.
Final line, "shirubekarikeru," means "surely knows," resolving "zo" with the attributive "keru."
Author: Onakatomi no Yoshinobu
Source: Shui Wakashu
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