A Three-Fold Loop

A three-fold loop (agemaki musubi 総角結び) was a particular method of tying himo belts that left loops to the left, right and above the knot, rather like a clover leaf. In his poem, though, Sanekata is referring to a well known popular song (saibara 催馬楽) of the same title:

あげまきや
ひろばかりや
離りて寢たれども
まろびあひけり
か寄りあひかり

agemaki ya
Firo bakari ya
sagarite netaredomo
marobiaFikeri
ka yoriaFikeri
Hey, Agemaki!
Just two hand’s span
Apart we slept, yet
We rolled together,
Or we came together!

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