classic waka stream

山崩すその力ねは難くとも
心たくみを添へこそはせめ
Roma-ji

Yama kuzusu sono chikarane wa kataku tomo kokoro takumi o soe koso wa seme

English Translation
Strength to bring down peaks,
that strength may be too hard
a thing for me, still
the craftsman's skill of my heart
I would surely add to yours.
Meaning
Strength enough to bring down a mountain may be hard for me, but I will add the craftsmanship of my heart.
Commentary
Miscellaneous Poems 859

Headnote: "Reply"
This is Saigyō's reply. Strength to bring down a mountain is hard for me, but I will add the craftsmanship of my heart, he says. Taking up 'yama mo kuzusame,' he answers that he will join the building of the hall not with strength but with the devotion of his heart.

First line, “yama kuzusu”: taking up 'yama mo kuzusame' at the end of the preceding poem.
Second line, “sono chikarane wa”: chikarane is strength itself, its root.
Third line, “kataku tomo”: tomo is concessive, though it is hard.
Fourth line, “kokoro takumi o”: kokoro takumi is the craft of the heart, echoing takumi, the carpenter who builds the hall.
Fifth line, “soe koso wa seme”: koso is answered by the perfective me; I will add it.
Author
Saigyō
Source
Sankashu
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