Nanigoto mo mukashi o kiku wa nasake arite yue aru sama ni shinobaruru kana

何事も昔を聞くは情けありて
ゆゑあるさまに偲ばるるかな

Roma-ji: Nanigoto mo mukashi o kiku wa nasake arite yue aru sama ni shinobaruru kana
English Translation: Whatever it is,
hearing of the days of old
there is feeling there,
and with a certain dignity
it comes back to me in longing.
Meaning: Whatever it may be, when I hear of the old days it is full of feeling, and I find myself longing for it as something of grace and dignity.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 715

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Miscellany"
Whatever it may be, hearing of the old days brings a sense of feeling, and it is recalled with an air of grace and dignity. The poet's longing for the things of the past is stated as a general reflection.

First line, “nanigoto mo”: whatever it may be.
Second line, “mukashi o kiku wa”: hearing of the past.
Third line, “nasake arite”: there is feeling, a line of six syllables. Like 'nasake arishi' in the first line of 713, the word nasake carries the longing for the past.
Fourth line, “yue aru sama ni”: yue is grace or dignity of origin; in a dignified manner.
Fifth line, “shinobaruru kana”: ruru is the spontaneous auxiliary ru; it comes back to me in longing, the poet sighs.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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