Tag Archives: 大伴旅人

MYS V: 793

A poem composed by Lord Ōtomo, Governor General of Dazai, on hearing some ill news.

世間は空しきものと知る時しいよよますます悲しかりけり

yo no naka pa
munasiki mono to
siru toki si
yoyo masumasu
kanasikarikeri
This world of ours
Is a fragile thing, indeed –
When I realise this
Ever ever greater
Is my sorrow!

Ōtomo no Tabito
大伴旅人

MYS VI: 957

A poem composed when the officials of the government headquarters in Dazai had visited the palace at Kashii, and halted their mounts on the shore at Kashii on the way home, in the winter, Eleventh Month, Jinki 5 [729].

いざ子ども香椎の潟に白栲の袖さへ濡れて朝菜摘みてむ

iza kodomo
kasipi no kata ni
sirotape no
sode sape nurete
asana tumitemu
Hey, fellows all!
On the tidelands of Kashii
Even white mulberry
Sleeves are soaked, so
Let’s gather greens for breakfast!

Ōtomo no Tabito
大伴旅人

SKKS X: 901

On coming up from Tsukushi, after finishing his posting as Governor General.

こゝにありてつくしやいづこ白雲のたなびく山のにしにあるらし

koko ni arite
tsukushi ya izuko
shira kumo no
tanabiku yama no
nishi ni arurashi
Here I am, yet
Where might Tsukushi be?
Clouds of white
Flutter ’cross the mountains
In the west-’tis where it lies, I’d say.

Major Councillor [Ōtomo no] Tabito
大伴旅人

MYS III: 315

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.