When he was leaving to go on a pilgrimage to a distant place, people were regretful that they should be parted, so he composed this.
さりともとなをあふことをたのむかなしでの山ぢをこえぬわかれは
| saritomo to nao au koto o tanomu kana shide no yamaji o koenu wakare wa |
I leave, but We will meet again, Of that you may be sure! Upon the mountain paths of death I will not set my step with this parting! |
The Monk Saigyō
西行