Practise the thinking. Keep the judgement.
音に聞く
Princess Yūshi’s Kii · 祐子内親王家紀伊
音に聞く
高師の濱の
あだ浪は
かけじや袖の
ぬれもこそすれ
Historical kana
おとにきく
たかしのはまの
あだなみは
かけじやそでの
ぬれもこそすれ
Original English translation
The fickle waves of Takashi Beach are famous; I will not let them touch me, lest my sleeves get wet.
History and context
Known by the household she served, Kii was an accomplished court poet. The coastal refusal is also a response to a lover’s uncertain reputation.
Imagery and wordplay
Ada waves suggest inconstancy. Wet sleeves would mean both sea spray and tears after a risky attachment.
Kin’yōshū · 金葉集恋下501
Japanese text and historical kana follow the linked Wikisource transcription. Classical poems can have variant spellings and wording in different anthologies. The source anthology reference identifies the version represented in this collection, not necessarily its earliest surviving text. English prose translations and reading notes are original interpretations; some wordplay permits more than one reading.