Nigoru beki iwai no mizu ni aranedomo kumaba yadoreru tsuki ya sawagan

濁るべき岩井の水にあらねども
汲まば宿れる月や騒がん

Roma-ji: Nigoru beki iwai no mizu ni aranedomo kumaba yadoreru tsuki ya sawagan
English Translation: Not water that would
muddy if I drew it, this
spring among the rocks,
yet if I draw, will the moon
that dwells there be disturbed?
Meaning: The water of the rock spring is not such that drawing it would muddy it, yet if I draw it, will the moon that dwells there be troubled?
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 947

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Topic unknown"
The water of the rock spring would not muddy if drawn, yet if I draw it, will the moon dwelling there be troubled? the poet asks, hesitating to draw water for love of the reflected moon. It takes up the drawing of water from the rock spring in 943 and the moon dwelling in clear water in the preceding poem.

First line, “nigoru beki”: that would muddy.
Second line, “iwai no mizu ni”: iwai is a spring welling among rocks.
Third line, “aranedomo”: though it is not.
Fourth line, “kumaba yadoreru”: if I draw, that dwells there, taking up 'yadoru tsukikage.'
Fifth line, “tsuki ya sawagan”: ya is answered by n; will the moon be troubled?
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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