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- Manyoshu
Amanogawa kiri tachiwatari hikoboshi no kaji no oto kikoyu yo no fukeyukeba
Mist spreads over the Heavenly River, and I hear the sound of the Herdsman's oars, as the night grows late.
Kimi ga fune ima kogikurashi amanogawa kiri tachiwataru kono kawa no se ni
Your boat seems to be rowing this way now, for mist is spreading over the shallows of the Heavenly River.
Akikaze ni kawanami tachinu shimashiku wa yaso no funatsu ni mifune todomeyo
The autumn wind has raised waves on the river. For a while, moor your boat at one of the many landing places.
Amanogawa kawa no oto kiyoshi hikoboshi no aki kogu fune no nami no sawaki ka
The sound of the Heavenly River is so clear—could it be the stir of waves from the boat the Herdsman rows this autumn?
Amanogawa kawato ni tachite aga koishi kimi kimasu nari himo toki matamu
Standing at the crossing of the Heavenly River, I hear that you whom I have longed for are coming. I will loosen my sash and wait.
Amanogawa kawato ni orite toshitsuki o koikoshi kimi ni koyoi aeru ka mo
At the crossing of the Heavenly River, I have met you tonight at last—you whom I have longed for through the months and years.
Asu yori wa aga tamadoko o uchiharai kimi to inezute hitori ka mo nemu
From tomorrow, though I sweep my jeweled bed clean, I will not sleep with you—must I sleep alone?
Ama no hara yukite itemu to shiramayumi hikite komoreru tsukihitootoko
Meaning to go out on the plain of heaven and shoot, the young man of the moon draws his white bow and hides himself away.
Kono yūbe furikuru ame wa hikoboshi no haya kogu fune no kai no chiri ka mo
The rain falling this evening—could it be spray scattered from the oars of the Herdsman's boat, rowed in such haste?
Amanogawa yasose kiraeri hikoboshi no toki matsu fune wa ima shi kogurashi
Mist hangs over the many shallows of the Heavenly River. The Herdsman's boat, which waited for its time, seems to be rowing out now.
Kaze fukite kawanami tachinu hikifune ni watari mo kimase yo no fukenu ma ni
The wind is blowing and waves have risen on the river. Come across to me in a towed boat, before the night grows late.
Amanogawa tōki watari wa nakeredomo kimi ga funade wa toshi ni koso mate
The crossing of the Heavenly River is not so far—and yet your setting out is something I can wait for only once a year.
Amanogawa uchihashi watase imo ga iechi yamazu kayowamu toki matazu tomo
Lay a plank bridge across the Heavenly River! Then I will go along the road to my wife's home without ceasing, not waiting for the appointed time.
Tsuki kasane aga omou imo ni aeru yo wa ima shi nanayo o tsugikosenu ka mo
On this night when I meet my wife, whom I have longed for month after month, if only now it could go on for seven nights!
Toshi ni yosou waga fune kogamu amanogawa kaze wa fuku tomo nami tatsu na yume
I will row my boat, which I deck out but once a year. O Heavenly River, even if the wind blows, never let your waves rise!
Amanogawa nami wa tatsu tomo waga fune wa iza kogiidemu yo no fukenu ma ni
Even if waves rise on the Heavenly River, come, I will row my boat out now, before the night grows late.