"As we pass through the glowing purple fields, then the restricted hunting grounds, Don't the field guards see it? You waving your sleeve."

Context and Meaning for a Global Audience

This poem, composed about 1,300 years ago in Japan, is a classic example of a love poem filled with subtle emotion.

Imagine this scene: The Emperor and his court, including aristocrats, were on an outing, perhaps a hunting trip, in beautiful purple-flowered fields and special, restricted areas.

The poet, Nukata no Ōkimi, was there with a particular man (who would later become Emperor Tenmu). She's observing the scene and can't help but notice something. Despite the presence of field guards (野守 - nomori)—who were like security personnel or rangers—she suspects this man is secretly waving his sleeve to someone else.

In ancient Japan, waving a sleeve was a common, non-verbal way to communicate across a distance. It could be a discreet signal of acknowledgment, affection, or even an invitation. To do so in plain sight, even with guards around, implied a hidden message like, "I see you," or "I want to meet you."

Nukata no Ōkimi expresses her jealousy and anxiety in this poem. Amidst the beautiful natural setting, a complex web of human relationships and hidden desires unfolds.

Color: White,Black
Material: 100% Cotton
Weight: 5.6 oz
Sizes: S - 3XL
Design: Tubular knit (no side seams)

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