Omoiizuru suginishi kata o hazukashimi aru ni monouki kono yo narikeri

思ひ出づる過ぎにし方を恥づかしみ
あるに物憂きこの世なりけり

Roma-ji: Omoiizuru suginishi kata o hazukashimi aru ni monouki kono yo narikeri
English Translation: As I call to mind
all the time that has gone by,
so ashamed am I
that simply being alive
is gloomy in this world of ours.
Meaning: The past that comes back to me fills me with shame, and so this world is one in which even being alive weighs heavy on the heart.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 719

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Miscellany"
The past that comes back to mind fills the poet with shame, and for that reason even being alive is a weight in this world. Regret on looking back over bygone days leads into the pain of present life.

First line, “omoiizuru”: that comes back to mind.
Second line, “suginishi kata o”: suginishi kata is the time gone by; nishi combines the perfective nu and the past ki.
Third line, “hazukashimi”: an adjective stem with mi, giving the reason, since I am ashamed.
Fourth line, “aru ni monouki”: heavy at heart at being alive.
Fifth line, “kono yo narikeri”: narikeri marks realization, such is this world of ours.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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