A poem, with tanka, with which Lady Ōtomo of Sakanoue worships the gods.
ひさかたの 天の原より 生れ來る 神の命 奧山の 賢木の枝に しらか付く 木綿取り付けて 齋瓮を 齋ひ掘り据ゑ 竹玉を 繁に貫き垂れ 獸じもの 膝折り伏して たわや女の 襲取り懸け かくだにも 我れは祈ひなむ 君に逢はじかも
| pisakata nö ama nö para yori arekitaru kamï nö mikötö okuyama nö sakakï nö eda ni siraka tuku yupu toritukete ipapipe wo ipapiporisuwe takatama wo sidi ni nukitare sisidi monö piza woripusite tawayame nö osupi torikake kaku dani mo are pa kopinamu kimi ni apadi ka mo |
On eternal Heaven’s field Were born The mighty gods: From deep within the mountains Comes the branch of sakaki, sacred tree, Pure white Mulberry cloth I tie upon it; Sacred jars, I bury in the earth; Bamboo discs I string close together, and As a beast On bended knee, prostrate myself; A gentle maiden’s Stole upon me, And in this way Do I pray; But still I may not meet him. |
Lady Ōtomo of Sakanoue
大伴坂上郎女