[20] わび (Wabi)

 Poem Meaning and Background

Miotsukushi in Osaka published by Mainichi Newspaper Company 

わびぬれば・いまはたおなじ・なにはなる

wabi nureba・ima hata onaji・Naniwa naru

みをつくしても・あはむとぞおもふ
mi o tsukushite mo・awan to zo omou

〜元良親王 (Motoyoshi Shinnō)

Translation

In this dire distress

My life is meaningless.

So we must meet now,

Even if it costs my life

In the Bay of Naniwa.

Meaning

    Prince Motoyoshi had fallen in love with then-retired Emperor Uda's Lady-in-waiting, Fujiwara no Hōshi, and word of their secret love reached the former emperor. As punishment, Motoyoshi was confined to his house, which is when he wrote this poem. 

    Like in poem [19] Naniwaga, the author references Naniwa Bay, a location often referenced in waka poetry, particularly when the author is talking about feelings of despair or loneliness. There's also a play on words with the word/phrase "mi o tsukushi te mo". As a phrase, it means "Even if my body/self is destroyed". The word "miotsukushi" also refers to guideposts that were erected for boats, like the one shown in the picture above. 

    The feeling of the poet is that he knows he will be "destroyed", likely killed or punished severely, if he meets his love, but it is also so painful for him not to meet her that he might as well die. For the author, since either situation is equally painful and distressing, he says he would rather risk meeting his love one more time. 

Author

Prince Motoyoshi (890~943) was the first son of Emperor Yōzei (author of [13] Tsuku) but the right of succession never passed to him. He is also related to Emperor Kōkō (author of [15] Kimigatameha). He was known for his love of elegance and also for his playboy nature. 

He had at least three wives, including Shūshi, one of the daughters of Emperor Daigo, and Kaishi, a daughter of Emperor Uda.