During the final month of Spring on an imperial excursion to the palace at Yoshino, the Middle Councillor, Lord Ōtomo, composed this poem, with tanka, in reponse to an imperial command (this poem has not yet been presented to the throne).
み吉野の 吉野の宮は 山からし 貴くあらし 川からし さやけくあらし 天地と 長く久しく 萬代に 變はらずあらむ 行幸しの宮
| miyosino nö yosino nö miya pa yamakara si taputoku arasi kapakara si sayakëku arasi amë tuti tö nagaku pisasiku yöröduyö ni kaparazu aramu idemasi nö miya |
In Yoshino, The palace of Yoshino Has the mountains’ nature – Awe-inspring; It has the river’s nature – Pure and clear; As heaven and earth Forever and ever – A myriad reigns – Let it remain changeless This palace to which we have come. |