whether in ages past
such a thing has ever been
I do not know—
but as the first of a thousand years
let it begin with you

Meaning

Whether such a thing has ever been in ages past I do not know, but let the example of a thousand years begin with you.

Commentary

Book Seven Felicitations

A poem written on a screen set behind Prince Motoyasu at his seventieth celebration banquet.

The poem celebrates long life, saying that though it is uncertain whether such longevity has existed before, the addressee should become the very first example of living for a thousand years, expressing high praise and blessing.

Author

Sosei Hoshi

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

idly passing by the months and days I do not feel— yet when I behold the spring spent gazing at blossoms how few such seasons there are
when spring arrives first to bloom at my dwelling— the plum blossoms there I behold them as adornment for your thousand years of life

whether in ages past such a thing has ever been I do not know— but as the first of a thousand years let it begin with you

whether in ages past
such a thing has ever been
I do not know—
but as the first of a thousand years
let it begin with you