Yoshi saraba ikue to mo naku yama koete yagate mo hito ni hedaterarenan

よしさらば幾重ともなく山越えて
やがても人に隔てられなん

Roma-ji: Yoshi saraba ikue to mo naku yama koete yagate mo hito ni hedaterarenan
English Translation: Well then, so be it:
crossing range on countless range
of mountains I'll go,
and just like that from all people
let myself be cut away.
Meaning: Well then, so be it: I will cross mountains, range upon countless range, and simply let myself be cut off from people altogether.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 1120

Headnote: "When I had gone far away on pilgrimage, someone seemed to be keeping me at a distance in his heart"
On a distant pilgrimage, Saigyō sensed that someone was holding him at a distance. Well then, he says, I will cross mountains range upon range and simply let myself be truly separated from people.
He answers the barrier in a person's heart with the physical barrier of mountains, in something like defiance. Through it seep both a resolve to throw himself into practice beyond such frictions and the loneliness that is the other face of longing for people.

First line, “yoshi saraba”: well then, so be it, a defiant acceptance.
Second line, “ikue to mo naku”: countless layers, beyond counting.
Third line, “yama koete”: crossing the mountains.
Fourth line, “yagate mo hito ni”: yagate means "just so, straightaway."
Fifth line, “hedaterarenan”: nan joins the perfective nu with volitional n, "I will let myself be separated," answering "keeping me at a distance" in the headnote.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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