Naki na koso shikama no ichi ni tachinikere mada aisomenu koi suru mono o

なき名こそ飾磨の市にたちにけれ
まだ逢ひ初めぬ恋するものを

Roma-ji: Naki na koso shikama no ichi ni tachinikere mada aisomenu koi suru mono o
English Translation: Groundless rumors rise,
like a market that's set up
in Shikama town—
though I'm in a love where we
have not yet even met.
Meaning: Groundless rumors have sprung up like a market in Shikama, though in this love of mine we have not yet even met.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 1242

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "One hundred and ten love poems"
Though in this love they have not yet met even once, baseless rumors have arisen like the market of Shikama, the poet laments.
The market of Shikama in Harima was known as a crowded place. Tatsu pivots on a market being "held" and rumor "arising," singing of the injustice of gossip spreading about a love that has borne no fruit.

First line, “naki na koso”: naki na is a baseless reputation; koso is emphatic.
Second line, “shikama no ichi ni”: at the market of Shikama in Harima.
Third line, “tachinikere”: tachi pivots on a market "being held" and rumor "arising"; the realis closes koso and the poem breaks here.
Fourth line, “mada aisomenu”: not yet having begun to meet.
Fifth line, “koi suru mono o”: mono o is concessive, "though I am in love."
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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