Uguisu wa inaka no tani no su naredomo dabitaru ne oba nakanu narikeri

鶯は田舎の谷の巣なれども
だびたる音をば鳴かぬなりけり

Roma-ji: Uguisu wa inaka no tani no su naredomo dabitaru ne oba nakanu narikeri
English Translation: Though the warbler builds
its nest within a valley
far out in the country,
never does it sing to us
in a voice that's coarse and rustic.
Meaning: Though the warbler makes its nest in a valley in the countryside, it never sings in a rustic voice.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 992

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Topic unknown"
Though the warbler nests in a country valley, it never sings in a rustic voice, the poet says, playfully praising the warbler that sings beautifully even while living in the hills.

First line, “uguisu wa”: the warbler.
Second line, “inaka no tani no”: of a valley in the countryside.
Third line, “su naredomo”: though its nest is there.
Fourth line, “dabitaru ne oba”: dabu is to be rustic, to speak in a country accent; a rustic voice.
Fifth line, “nakanu narikeri”: narikeri marks realization; it does not sing so.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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