Hyakunin Isshu Oracle

No.54 儀同三司母「忘れじの 行末までは 難ければ 今日を限りの 命ともがな」

忘れじの 行末までは 難ければ 今日を限りの 命ともがな

儀同三司母

you said you would not forget — let the day end here, then

you said you would not forget — let the day end here, then

キーワードKeywords

“I Will Not Forget”Doubtful FutureWanting to End TodayPeakVow
Love

儀同三司母Mother of Gidōsanshi — No. 54 女房・姫Court Lady

Takashina no Takako, wife of Michitaka and mother of Korechika and Empress Teishi, learned in Chinese letters as well.

わすれじの ゆくすゑまでは かたければ けふをかぎりの いのちともがな

Wasureji no Yukusue made wa Katakereba Kyō o kagiri no Inochi to mo gana

現代語訳Modern Japanese

コンセプトConcept

情景The Scene

He has just promised never to forget her. She does not believe the promise will survive its own future, so she asks for the only guarantee available: let today be the last day, while it is still true.

日本の美意識Japanese Aesthetic

Mujō (Impermanence Accepted)

Rather than hope the feeling lasts, the poem proposes stopping the tape at the best moment. Knowing where to end is a craft decision, and this poem treats a life the same way.