He had accompanied his father to Tōtōmi province, then, after some years had passed, when he was sent to be Governor of Shimotsuke, he composed this at the bridge at Hamana.
東路の浜名の橋を来てみれば昔恋しき渡りなりけり
adumadi no
Famana no Fasi wo
kitemireba
mukasi koFisiki
watarinarikeri
Along eastern roads
To the bridge at Hamana
Have I come and now I see
Sights I loved long ago
Spread out before me…
sawadagawa
sode tsuku bakari
asakeredo
hare
asakeredo
kuni no miyabito ya
takahashi watasu
aware
soko yoshi ya
takahashi watasu
The River Sawada
It does soak your sleeves
Though it’s only shallow
Hey!
Though it’s only shallow
Folk from the capital
Have put a great bridge across it!
For shame!
Is there any point
To putting a great bridge across it?