Minori oba kotoba nakeredo toku to kikeba fukaki aware wa towade koso omoe

御法をば言葉なけれど説くと聞けば
深きあはれは訪はでこそ思へ

Roma-ji: Minori oba kotoba nakeredo toku to kikeba fukaki aware wa towade koso omoe
English Translation: The Law, I have heard,
though without a single word,
can still be preached; so
my deep sorrow for you, I
hold within, not calling.
Meaning: I have heard that the Law can be preached even without words, and so my deep sympathy I hold in my heart, without coming to call.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 842

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Reply"
This is the last of Saigyō's replies, answering 837. I have heard that the Law is preached even without words, and so I hold my deep sympathy in my heart without calling, he says. Taking up 'there may be something deep in not calling' from 837, he answers that it is just so, closing the exchange of five poems.

First line, “minori oba”: minori is the Buddhist Law.
Second line, “kotoba nakeredo”: though without words, teaching beyond speech.
Third line, “toku to kikeba”: since I hear it is preached; a line of six syllables.
Fourth line, “fukaki aware wa”: deep sympathy, taking up 'fukaki kata' in 837.
Fifth line, “towade koso omoe”: de is negative; koso is answered by the perfective omoe; I feel it without calling.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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