Koto towanu ki ni mo ari tomo wa ga seko ga tanare no mikoto tsuchi ni okame ya mo

言とはぬ木にもありとも我が背子が
手馴れの御琴地に置かめやも

Roma-ji: Koto towanu ki ni mo ari tomo wa ga seko ga tanare no mikoto tsuchi ni okame ya mo
English Translation: Though it be a tree
that has never spoken words,
my dear friend's own
zither worn smooth by his hands —
how could I lay it on the ground?
Meaning: Though it is only a tree that cannot speak, how could I ever set down on the ground the zither your own hands have made familiar?
Commentary: Book Five Miscellaneous Poems 812

Headnote: "Respectfully I answer your poem of white clouds with a rustic song; humbly submitted by Fusasaki"
The poet replies that although it is a tree that cannot speak, he would never set down on the ground the zither his friend's hands have made familiar. He vows to treasure the zither sent by Tabito, expressing respect and gratitude to the giver.
The letter in the headnote says that he received the letter on bended knee and his joy ran deep, that he knows the favor shown to one so humble is great, and that his longing only grows; he respectfully offers a rustic song in answer to the poem of white clouds. The left note says it was entrusted on the eighth day of the eleventh month to the Senior Inspector who was returning as messenger, about a month after Tabito's letter.
The poet, Fujiwara no Fusasaki, was the second son of Fujiwara no Fuhito and the founder of the Northern House of the Fujiwara. He took part in government as a Consultant and at this time was Commander of the Inner Palace Guards.

First line, "koto towanu": repeats the first line of the preceding poem, giving the reply its proper form.
Second line, "ki ni mo ari tomo": the same as the preceding poem's line, changing only "wa" to "mo," honoring the words of the poem received.
Third line, "wa ga seko ga": "seko" is an intimate term for a man, here Tabito.
Fourth line, "tanare no mikoto": takes up "the zither worn by your hands" and adds the honorific "mi" in respect for the giver.
Fifth line, "tsuchi ni okame ya mo": "me ya mo" is rhetorical: would I ever put it on the ground and treat it lightly? Never.
Author: Fujiwara no Fusasaki
Source: Manyoshu
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