Koto towanu ki sura ajisai morotora ga neri no murato ni azamukaekeri

言とはぬ木すらあじさゐ諸弟らが
練りのむらとにあざむかえけり

Roma-ji: Koto towanu ki sura ajisai morotora ga neri no murato ni azamukaekeri
English Translation: Even trees that speak
not a word, like hydrangeas,
change; and Morotora's
cleverly polished speech
has deceived me utterly
Meaning: Even a tree that cannot speak changes color like the hydrangea; so I have been deceived by the polished words of Morotora and his like.
Commentary: Book Four Love Poems 773

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Five poems sent by Ōtomo no Sukune Yakamochi from the Kuni capital to the Elder Daughter of Sakanoue"
Even a tree that cannot speak changes color like the hydrangea, he says, and he has been deceived by the smooth words of Morotora and his like. Morotora is thought to be the name of a messenger who carried word between them, and the poem is known to be difficult.
The author, Ōtomo no Yakamochi, was the son of Ōtomo no Tabito and a poet thought to have been deeply involved in compiling the Man'yōshū. He later rose to the rank of Middle Counselor.

First line, "Even trees that speak," means that do not speak.
Second line, "not a word, like hydrangeas," means even a tree, like the hydrangea, a figure for changing color.
Third line, "change; and Morotora's," names Morotora, thought to be the messenger.
Fourth line, "cleverly polished speech," is taken to mean words carefully crafted, though the sense is unclear.
Fifth line, "has deceived me utterly," uses the passive e: I have been deceived.
Author: Otomo no Yakamochi
Source: Manyoshu
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