Shiba no io no shibashi miyako e kaeraji to omowan dani mo aware naru beshi

柴の庵のしばし都へ帰らじと
思はんだにもあはれなるべし

Roma-ji: Shiba no io no shibashi miyako e kaeraji to omowan dani mo aware naru beshi
English Translation: In my brushwood hut,
that for a while to the capital
I'll not go back again—
merely thinking such a thing
must surely be full of sorrow.
Meaning: Just to think, here in my brushwood hut, that I will not go back to the capital for a while must itself be a sad thing.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 1098

Headnote: "When he said, 'It is sad to go back leaving you here alone. When will you return to the capital?'"
The companion said it was sad to leave Saigyō behind alone and asked when he would return to the capital; this poem is the answer. Even to think, living in a brushwood hut, that he will not return to the capital for a while must be sad enough, he replies.
Taking up 1097, the poem gives the feelings of the one left behind. Calling the very decision not to return a sad thing, and not answering when he will go back, he expresses at once his resolve to stay in Shikoku and his loneliness.

First line, “shiba no io no”: of the brushwood hut, leading by sound into shibashi like a preface.
Second line, “shibashi miyako e”: for a while, to the capital.
Third line, “kaeraji to”: ji is negative volition, "that I will not return."
Fourth line, “omowan dani mo”: dani infers, "even just to think it."
Fifth line, “aware naru beshi”: beshi is conjectural, "it must be sad."
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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