Tama no o o awao ni yorite musuberaba arite nochi ni mo awazarame ya mo

玉の緒を沫緒に搓りて結べらば
ありて後にも逢はざらめやも

Roma-ji: Tama no o o awao ni yorite musuberaba arite nochi ni mo awazarame ya mo
English Translation: If the jewel string
twisted into foam-like cord
we had knotted fast,
even after time has passed,
could it be we would not meet
Meaning: If we tie the cord that strings our jewels, twisted firm into foam-cord, could we fail to meet again, even after time has passed?
Commentary: Book Four Love Poems 763

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Two poems sent by Ki no Iratsume to Ōtomo no Sukune Yakamochi"
If they twist the cord of their jewels into foam-cord and tie it fast, surely they will meet again, however much time passes. Following the hesitation of the preceding poem, it holds hope for a future reunion.
The author, Ki no Iratsume, was a daughter of Ki no Kanohito, named Oshika, and was the wife of Prince Aki.

First line, "If the jewel string," names the cord that threads jewels.
Second line, "twisted into foam-like cord," names awao, thought to be a way of twisting thread, though its sense is unclear.
Third line, "we had knotted fast," means if we have tied it.
Fourth line, "even after time has passed," means after some time.
Fifth line, "could it be we would not meet," uses the rhetorical meya mo: would we not meet? Surely we will.
Author: Ki no Iratsume
Source: Manyoshu
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