Koke uzumu yuruganu iwa no fukaki ne wa kimi ga chitose o katametaru beshi

苔埋む揺るがぬ岩の深き根は
君が千歳を固めたるべし

Roma-ji: Koke uzumu yuruganu iwa no fukaki ne wa kimi ga chitose o katametaru beshi
English Translation: Buried deep in moss,
the unshakable boulder's
roots that run so deep—
surely they make firm and sure
my lord's thousand years of life.
Meaning: The deep roots of the moss-buried, unshakable rock must surely be what holds firm our lord's thousand years.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 1172

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Congratulations"
The deep roots of the moss-covered, unshakable rock must be holding firm the lord's thousand years, the poet says.
A moss-grown rock symbolizes long years and steadfastness; seeing its deep roots as supporting the lord's long life, the poem celebrates the stability of the reign and the lord's longevity. The pairing of moss and rock, both things of ages, deepens the praise.

First line, “koke uzumu”: buried under moss, showing the passage of long years.
Second line, “yuruganu iwa no”: of the rock that never shakes.
Third line, “fukaki ne wa”: its roots set deep in the earth.
Fourth line, “kimi ga chitose o”: the lord's thousand years.
Fifth line, “katametaru beshi”: beshi is conjectural, "they must be holding it firm."
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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