Ikade ware kono yo no hoka no omoide ni kaze o itowade hana o nagamen

いかで我この世のほかの思ひ出に
風をいとはで花を眺めん

Roma-ji: Ikade ware kono yo no hoka no omoide ni kaze o itowade hana o nagamen
English Translation: Somehow I would wish,
as a memory to keep
in the world beyond,
without fretting at the wind
to gaze upon the blossoms.
Meaning: Somehow, as a memory to take with me beyond this world, I long to gaze at the blossoms without having to dread the wind.
Commentary: Spring Poems 108

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "When composing many poems on falling blossoms"
The poet wishes that, as a memory to take into the next world, he might just once gaze at the blossoms to his heart's content without worrying about the wind that scatters them.
The phrase kono yo no hoka no omoide ni recalls Izumi Shikibu's poem in the Goshūi Wakashū asking for one more meeting as a memory to take beyond this world, turning the language of love poetry to a longing for blossoms. It carries an earnest wish to be freed from the worry of falling flowers.

First line, “ikade ware”: somehow I, combining with the intention in the fifth line to express a strong wish.
Second line, “kono yo no hoka no”: outside this world, that is, of the world after death.
Third line, “omoide ni”: as a memory, a line with an extra syllable; with the second line it echoes Izumi Shikibu's poem.
Fourth line, “kaze o itowade”: without dreading the wind.
Fifth line, “hana o nagamen”: n expresses intention, I would gaze at the blossoms, closing the poem.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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