A poem, with tanka, composed by Kanamura, Lord Kasa, on board ship at the river port of Tsunoga.
越の海の 角鹿の濱ゆ 大船に 眞楫貫き下ろし 鯨魚取り 海道に出でて 喘きつつ 我が漕ぎ行けば ますらをの 手結が浦に 海女娘子 鹽燒く煙草枕 旅にしあれば ひとりして 見る驗なみ 海神の 手に卷かしたる 玉たすき 懸けて偲ひつ 大和島根を
kosi nö umi nö tunoga nö pama yu opobune ni makadi nukiorosi izana töri umidi ni idete apëkitutu wa ga kögiyukeba masurawo nö tayupi ga ura ni ama wotöme sipo yaku keburi kusa makura tabi ni si areba pitöri site miru sirusi nami watatumi nö te ni makasitaru tamatasuki kaketesinopitu yamatö simane wo |
By the sea at Koshi, On the beach at Tsunoga, From our great ship We thrust down oars and On the whale-hunting Seaway set our course; As panting, panting We row on our way, At the sturdy man’s Bay of Tayui, Diver girls and Smoke drying salt: On a grass pillow Journey as this I am alone and The sight moves me not; The sea-god Has wrapped around His hand A jewelled cord Tied to me is my longing For the isle of Yamato. |