Yamashiro no Iwata no mori no iwazu to mo aki no kozue wa shiruku ya aruramu

山城の岩田の森のいはずとも
秋の梢はしるくやあるらむ

Roma-ji: Yamashiro no Iwata no mori no iwazu to mo aki no kozue wa shiruku ya aruramu
English Translation: Like the grove of Iwata
in the province of Yamashiro,
though I say nothing,
like the autumn treetops
is it plainly to be seen?
Meaning: Like the grove of Iwata in Yamashiro, though I say nothing, is my love as plain to see as the reddened treetops of autumn?
Commentary: Love Poems 464

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Composed on the theme of love at famous places"
From the name of the grove of Iwata in Yamashiro the poet draws iwazu, "not saying," and wonders whether, though he says nothing, his love shows as plainly as autumn treetops turned red.

Line 1 means "of Yamashiro."
Line 2 names the grove of Iwata, a poetic place in Yamashiro, whose sound leads to iwazu.
Line 3 means "though I do not speak," echoing the place name.
Line 4 means "the treetops of autumn," suggesting reddened leaves.
Line 5: ya binds the attributive ramu, "is it plainly visible?"
Author: Minamoto no Sanetomo
Source: Kinkaishu
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