Ōbune o kogi no susumi ni iwa ni fure kaeraba kaere imo ni yorite wa

大船を漕ぎの進みに岩に触れ
覆らば覆れ妹によりては

Roma-ji: Ōbune o kogi no susumi ni iwa ni fure kaeraba kaere imo ni yorite wa
English Translation: Rowing the great ship,
if in pressing on we strike
upon the rocks here,
let it capsize if it will,
if it be for my love's sake
Meaning: If, in rowing our great ship onward, we strike the rocks, let it capsize if it must; for my beloved, I do not care.
Commentary: Book Four Love Poems 557

Headnote: "Two poems composed by Haji no Sukune Mimichi on the sea route from Tsukushi up to the capital"
This is the first of two poems composed on the voyage from Tsukushi to the capital. If the great ship, pressing on, strikes a rock and capsizes, so be it, for it is for his beloved's sake; he boldly declares his single-minded wish to see her soon.
The author, Haji no Mimichi, appears to have been an official who served at the Dazaifu, and he composed this poem while returning from Tsukushi to the capital.

First line, "Rowing the great ship," means a large vessel, marking a sea journey.
Second line, "if in pressing on we strike," means in the momentum of rowing forward.
Third line, "upon the rocks here," means striking a rock, imagining a moment of danger.
Fourth line, "let it capsize if it will," doubles the verb kaeru, "to overturn," to show his resolve: if it capsizes, let it capsize. The poem breaks after this line.
Fifth line, "if it be for my love's sake," gives by inversion the reason for his resolve.
Author: Haji no Mimichi
Source: Manyoshu
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