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- Manyoshu
Tada koyoi aitaru kora ni kotodoi mo imada sezu shite sayo zo akenikeru
With the girl I met only this one night, I have not yet even exchanged words, and already the night has dawned.
Amanogawa shiranami takashi aga kouru kimi ga funade wa ima shi surashi mo
White waves are running high on the Heavenly River—it seems the one I love is setting out in his boat right now.
Hatamono no maneki mochiyukite amanogawa uchihashi watasu kimi ga komu tame
Taking the crossbeams of my loom, I will lay a plank bridge across the Heavenly River, so that you may come.
Amanogawa kiri tachinoboru tanabata no kumo no koromo no kaeru sode ka mo
Mist rises over the Heavenly River—could it be the fluttering sleeve of the Weaver Maiden's robe of clouds?
Inishie yu oriteshi hata o kono yūbe koromo ni nuite kimi matsu ware o
The cloth I have been weaving since long ago I have sewn into a robe this evening, and here I am, waiting for you.
Ashidama mo tadama mo yura ni oru hata o kimi ga mikeshi ni nui mo aemu ka mo
The cloth I weave with my anklet and wrist beads jingling—will I be able to finish sewing it into a robe for you?
Tsukihi eri aiteshi areba wakaremaku oshiku aru kimi wa asu sae mo ga mo
Since we have met at last on the chosen month and day, I grieve to part from you—if only you could stay even tomorrow.
Amanogawa watarize fukami fune ukete kogikuru kimi ga kaji no oto kikoyu
Because the ford of the Heavenly River is deep, you set your boat afloat, and I can hear the sound of your oars as you row toward me.
Ama no hara furisakemireba amanogawa kiri tachiwataru kimi wa kinurashi
When I look up at the plain of heaven, mist is spreading over the Heavenly River—you seem to have come.
Amanogawa se goto ni nusa o tatematsuru kokoro wa kimi o sakiku kimase to
At every shoal of the Heavenly River I make offerings to the gods—my heart's prayer is that you may come safely.
Hisakata no ama no kawazu ni fune ukete kimi matsu yora wa akezu mo aranu ka
Setting a boat afloat at the ford of the Heavenly River, I wait for you tonight—if only this night would not end in dawn.
Amanogawa nazusai wataru kimi ga te mo imada makaneba yo no fukenuraku
Though you have waded across the Heavenly River, soaked in its waters, I have not yet pillowed my head on your arm—and already the night has grown late.
Watarimori fune watase o to yobu koe no itaraneba ka mo kaji no oto no senu
I call to the ferryman, "Bring the boat across!"—but perhaps my voice does not reach him, for I hear no sound of oars.
Makenagaku kawa ni mukitachi arishi sode koyoi makamu to omowaku ga yosa
How sweet it is to think that tonight I will pillow my head on the sleeves of one who stood so many long days facing the river.
Amanogawa watarize goto ni omoitsutsu koshiku mo shirushi aeraku omoeba
At every ford of the Heavenly River I thought of you as I came—and it was worth it, now that I think of how we have met.
Hito sae ya mitsugazu aramu hikoboshi no tsuma yobu fune no chikazukiyuku o
Could even we mortals keep from watching as the Herdsman's boat, calling for his wife, draws nearer and nearer?