lying down I pray
rising I count the years on—
ten thousand ages
the gods alone must surely know
all for the sake of my lord

Meaning

Lying down I pray, rising I count the passing years—those ten thousand ages, the gods alone must surely know, all for the sake of my lord.

Commentary

Book Seven Felicitations

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

The poet expresses a fervent wish for the lord’s long life, praying again and again. Since the span of life lies beyond human power, it is entrusted to the gods, who surely know this devotion and will grant it, revealing the poet’s earnest longing for the lord’s enduring years.

Author

Sosei Hoshi

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

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

lying down I pray rising I count the years on— ten thousand ages the gods alone must surely know all for the sake of my lord

lying down I pray
rising I count the years on—
ten thousand ages
the gods alone must surely know
all for the sake of my lord