Waka Bay (waka no ura 和歌の浦 ) was a well known poetic site in the province of Kii, to the south-east of the capital region. It was the location of Tamatsushima Shrine 玉津島神社, whose principal deity, Sotôrihime no Mikoto 衣通姫尊 was one of three patron deities of waka poetry.

Hence, in this poem the path of the plover is also the path of the poet, and it is he who grieves for the hardships he suffers.