When Jakuren and others urged him to compose a hundred poem sequence, he refused and went off on a pilgrimage to Kumano; on the way, he had a dream that all else might fade, but that poetry would be something lasting through the end of the world; thinking that he must give a reason for composing the poems to Superintendant Tankai and Toshinari of the third rank, when he awakened he hurriedly composed them and sent them off, writing this in the wrapping.
すゑのよもこのなさけのみかはらずと見し夢なくはよそにきかまし
| sue no yo mo kono nasake nomi kawarazu to mishi yume naku wa yoso ni kikamashi |
At the world’s end This gentle art alone Will stand imperishable – Had I not had this dream… I would have you hear of it. |
The Monk Saigyō
西行