Haregataki yamaji no kumo ni uzumorete koke no tamoto wa kiri kuchinikeri

晴れがたき山路の雲に埋もれて
苔の袂は霧朽ちにけり

Roma-ji: Haregataki yamaji no kumo ni uzumorete koke no tamoto wa kiri kuchinikeri
English Translation: Buried in the clouds
along the mountain path that
will not ever clear,
the sleeves of my moss-hued robe
have rotted through in the mist.
Meaning: Buried in the clouds that will not clear from the mountain path, the sleeves of my moss-colored robe have rotted away in the mist.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 960

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Topic unknown"
Buried in the clouds that will not clear from the mountain path, the sleeves of my moss-colored robe have rotted in the mist, the poet says, conveying the hardship of a recluse practicing deep in the mountains through sleeves that rot in the mist.

First line, “haregataki”: hard to clear.
Second line, “yamaji no kumo ni”: in the clouds hanging over the mountain path.
Third line, “uzumorete”: buried.
Fourth line, “koke no tamoto wa”: the sleeves of the recluse's humble moss-colored robe.
Fifth line, “kiri kuchinikeri”: rotted in the mist; nikeri closes with a sigh.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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