The phrase "yutani-tayutani" signifies a state of gently swaying and drifting. It is derived from a poem in the Man'yoshu: "Waga kokoro yutani-tayutani ukinunaha he ni mo oki ni mo yori katsumashiji" (Author unknown, Man'yoshu, Volume 7-1352). (Initially, the composer was drawn to the mention of "ukinuna" (蓴, water shield/junsai) in the poem.) The piece is based on Guillaume de Machaut's (1300-1377) ballade "Dame, ne regardes pas". While its overall structure is maintained throughout, it is embellished with numerous transformed motifs that constantly shift between their original and altered forms, referencing the source material.