Sadamenashi ikutose kimi ni narenarete wakare o kyō wa omou naruran

定めなし幾年君に馴れ馴れて
別れを今日は思ふなるらん

Roma-ji: Sadamenashi ikutose kimi ni narenarete wakare o kyō wa omou naruran
English Translation: Nothing in this world is sure—
for so many years with you
I've grown close and dear,
and today I find myself
thinking of our parting.
Meaning: How uncertain this world is: after so many years of growing close to you, today I find myself thinking of parting.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 1092

Headnote: "Parting from a companion monk on whom I had long relied, and thinking that on a distant pilgrimage I might not return, I felt somehow sad"
Leaving a companion monk he had long relied on to set out on a distant pilgrimage, and thinking he might never return, Saigyō felt a vague sadness and composed this. How uncertain the world is: after so many years together, today he must think of parting.
The first line declares the uncertainty of the world, and long intimacy is set against today's parting. One senses both his resolve for a journey from which he may not return alive and his deep feeling for his companion.

First line, “sadamenashi”: nothing is certain, a declaration that breaks after the first line.
Second line, “ikutose kimi ni”: for so many years, with you.
Third line, “narenarete”: growing ever more familiar; the repetition stresses long intimacy.
Fourth line, “wakare o kyō wa”: today, parting, contrasting the long years with this day.
Fifth line, “omou naruran”: ran conjectures, wondering at finding himself thinking so.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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