Shiranawa ni koayu hikarete kudaru se ni mochimōketaru kome no shikiami

白縄に小鮎ひかれて下る瀬に
持ちまうけたる小目の敷網

Roma-ji: Shiranawa ni koayu hikarete kudaru se ni mochimōketaru kome no shikiami
English Translation: In the shallows where
the little ayu, driven
by white ropes, swim down,
lies in wait to catch them all
the spread net of finest mesh.
Meaning: In the shallows where the young sweetfish swim down, driven by white ropes, a fine-meshed net lies spread in wait for them.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 1394

Headnote: none
In the shallows where young sweetfish come downstream driven by white ropes, a fine-meshed net lies spread in wait, the poet says.
It depicts the concrete method of catching sweetfish, driving them with ropes into a net set downstream. Like the preceding poem, it realistically captures a scene of river fishing.

First line, “shiranawa ni”: by white ropes, used to drive the fish.
Second line, “koayu hikarete”: the young sweetfish driven.
Third line, “kudaru se ni”: in the shallows they go down.
Fourth line, “mochimōketaru”: prepared and waiting.
Fifth line, “kome no shikiami”: a fine-meshed net laid on the bottom, ending on a noun.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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