Saru hodo no chigiri wa kimi ni arinagara yukanu kokoro no kurushiki ya nazo

さるほどの契りは君にありながら
ゆかぬ心の苦しきやなぞ

Roma-ji: Saru hodo no chigiri wa kimi ni arinagara yukanu kokoro no kurushiki ya nazo
English Translation: Though between us lies
a bond so deep, I know,
pledged with you, my love—
why is it this heart of mine,
unsatisfied, so pains me?
Meaning: Though there is such a deep bond between you and me, why does my heart, still unsatisfied, ache so?
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 1259

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "One hundred and ten love poems"
Though there is such a deep bond between us, why is my unsatisfied heart so pained? the poet asks.
Even after vows have been exchanged and the lovers meet, the heart remains unfulfilled and in pain, singing of love's unending thirst. The depth of love's suffering persists even in the stage of fulfilled love.

First line, “saru hodo no”: of such a degree.
Second line, “chigiri wa kimi ni”: the bond with you.
Third line, “arinagara”: though there is.
Fourth line, “yukanu kokoro no”: yuku is to be satisfied; of an unsatisfied heart.
Fifth line, “kurushiki ya nazo”: nazo is "why," asking why it is so painful.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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