Shiranui Tsukushi no wata wa mi ni tsukete imada wa kinedo atatakeku miyu

しらぬひ筑紫の綿は身に付けて
いまだは着ねど暖けく見ゆ

Roma-ji: Shiranui Tsukushi no wata wa mi ni tsukete imada wa kinedo atatakeku miyu
English Translation: Unknown fire's land—
this silk floss of Tsukushi,
though on my body
I have never worn it yet,
how warm it looks to the eye!
Meaning: The silk floss of Tsukushi—though I have not yet wrapped myself in it and worn it, how warm it looks!
Commentary: Book Three Miscellaneous Poems 336

Headnote: "A poem by the novice Mansei on silk floss," with the note "He was the Superintendent for building the Kannon Temple in Tsukushi; his secular name was Kasa no Ason Maro"
The poem sings of silk floss, a noted product of Tsukushi. Though he has not yet worn it, it looks warm at a glance—praise for the fine floss of Tsukushi. One view reads it as an allegory likening the floss to a woman of Tsukushi, to whom he is drawn though not yet intimate. Tsukushi floss was a special product sent from Dazaifu to the capital as tribute.
The poet, Mansei, whose secular name was Kasa no Maro, served as Governor of Mino and in other posts before taking holy orders, and went down to Dazaifu as Superintendent for building the Kanzeon Temple of Tsukushi.

First line "Unknown fire's land" renders shiranui, a pillow word for Tsukushi; the line has only four syllables.
Second line "this silk floss of Tsukushi": wata here is silk floss made from cocoons, a specialty of Tsukushi.
Third line "though on my body" means wrapping it about oneself.
Fourth line "I have never worn it yet": ne is the conditional of the negative zu and do concessive.
Fifth line "how warm it looks to the eye" praises the floss from appearance alone.
Author: Mansei
Source: Manyoshu
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