Nami no utsu oto o tsuzumi ni magaureba irihi no kage no uchite yuraruru

波の打つ音を鼓にまがふれば
入日の影のうちて揺らるる

Roma-ji: Nami no utsu oto o tsuzumi ni magaureba irihi no kage no uchite yuraruru
English Translation: Since I take the sound
of the waves that beat the shore
for the beating drum,
the light of the setting sun
seems to sway as it is struck.
Meaning: Since I mistake the sound of the breaking waves for the beating of a drum, even the light of the setting sun seems to sway as though struck.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 1447

Headnote: "The setting sun is like a drum"
On the topic or text "The setting sun is like a drum." Hearing the beating waves as a drum, the poet sees the light of the setting sun sway as though struck.
Taking up the figure of the sinking sun as a drum, he makes the sound of the waves a drumbeat and overlays the setting sunlight rocking on the waves with the striking of a drum. Linking hearing and sight, it is a grand sunset scene.

First line, “nami no utsu”: of the beating waves.
Second line, “oto o tsuzumi ni”: their sound, as a drum's.
Third line, “magaureba”: since I mistake it.
Fourth line, “irihi no kage no”: the light of the setting sun.
Fifth line, “uchite yuraruru”: uchi joins striking a drum and waves beating; "it seems to sway," ending on the attributive.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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