Ashihiki no yama no kodera ni sumu hito wa waga iu koto mo kanawazarikeri - Shui Wakashu(English Translation & Meaning)

あしひきの山の小寺に住む人は
我が言ふこともかなはざりけり

Roma-ji: Ashihiki no yama no kodera ni sumu hito wa waga iu koto mo kanawazarikeri
English Translation: The one who dwells
in the small temple of the hills,
the leg-wearying hills,
will not grant me even
the little that I ask.
Meaning: The one who lives in the small temple in the mountains will not grant even what I ask.
Commentary: Book Nine Miscellaneous Poems II 527

Headnote: "Topic unknown"
The poet says that the one who lives in a small mountain temple will not grant even what he asks. It sings, in a somewhat playful tone, the frustration felt toward someone secluded in a mountain temple. Placed after the riddle poem of the preceding poem, 526, it leads into the exchange with a monk that begins with the next poem, 528.

First line, "ashihiki no," is a pillow word introducing "yama," mountain.
Second line, "yama no kodera ni," means "in the small temple in the mountains." It answers the first line of the next poem, 528, "yama naranu," through words of a mountain dwelling.
Third line, "sumu hito wa," means "the one who lives there," thought to point to a monk of the mountain temple.
Fourth line, "waga iu koto mo," means "even what I say," with "mo" for emphasis.
Final line, "kanawazarikeri," means "will not grant it, I find," with "keri" expressing a sigh of realization.
Author: Unknown Poet
Source: Shui Wakashu
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