Irihi sasu yama no anata wa shiranedomo kokoro o kanete okuri okitsuru

入日さす山のあなたは知らねども
心をかねて送り置きつる

Roma-ji: Irihi sasu yama no anata wa shiranedomo kokoro o kanete okuri okitsuru
English Translation: Beyond the mountains
where the evening sun goes down,
though I know it not,
my heart I have sent ahead
to be there before me.
Meaning: I know not what lies beyond the mountains where the evening sun goes down, yet I have sent my heart ahead to wait for me there.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 942

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Topic unknown"
I know not what lies beyond the mountains where the evening sun goes down, but I have sent my heart ahead, the poet says. Beyond the western mountains where the sun sets was thought to lie the Western Paradise, and longing for rebirth there, he sends his heart before him.

First line, “irihi sasu”: where the setting sun shines.
Second line, “yama no anata wa”: beyond the mountains, suggesting the Western Paradise.
Third line, “shiranedomo”: though I do not know it.
Fourth line, “kokoro o kanete”: kanete is in advance.
Fifth line, “okuri okitsuru”: I have sent it ahead, closing in the attributive with a sigh.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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