Sutetaredo kakurete sumanu hito ni nareba nao yo ni aru ni nitaru narikeri

捨てたれど隠れて住まぬ人になれば
なほ世にあるに似たるなりけり

Roma-ji: Sutetaredo kakurete sumanu hito ni nareba nao yo ni aru ni nitaru narikeri
English Translation: Though I cast it off,
since I've become one who does
not live hidden away,
it is much the same, I see,
as living in the world still.
Meaning: Though I have renounced the world, since I have become one who does not live hidden away, it is much the same as still being in the world.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 1416

Headnote: none
Though he has renounced the world, since he does not live hidden away, it is much the same as still living in the world, the poet says.
Though he took vows, he went on traveling and mixing with people of the capital, and here he sternly reflects on that way of life. It shows Saigyō's self-criticism that, while outwardly a recluse, he had not reached true renunciation.

First line, “sutetaredo”: though I cast it off.
Second line, “kakurete sumanu”: not living hidden away.
Third line, “hito ni nareba”: since I have become such a one; the line has an extra syllable.
Fourth line, “nao yo ni aru ni”: to being in the world still.
Fifth line, “nitaru narikeri”: keri marks realization, "it is much the same."
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
Prev Poem: Hitokire wa miyako o sutete izuredomo megurite wa nao kiso no kakehashi
Next Poem: Yo no naka o sutete sute'enu kokochi shite miyako hanarenu waga mi narikeri