Ume no hana orite kazaseru morobito wa kyō no aida wa tanoshiku aru beshi

梅の花折りてかざせる諸人は
今日の間は楽しくあるべし

Roma-ji: Ume no hana orite kazaseru morobito wa kyō no aida wa tanoshiku aru beshi
English Translation: Plum blossoms broken
off and worn upon the head —
all of those who wear them
for as long as this day lasts
surely will be filled with joy
Meaning: All those wearing sprays of plum blossom in their hair will surely be happy for as long as this day lasts.
Commentary: Book Five Miscellaneous Poems 832

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Thirty-two poems on plum blossoms, with preface"
The poet says that all who wear plum blossoms in their hair will surely enjoy this whole day. Portraying the gathered company as if from outside, he blesses the gentle joy of the occasion.
This is one of the thirty-two poems of the Plum Blossom Banquet, held on the thirteenth day of the first month of Tenpyō 2, when officials of Dazaifu and provincial governors of Kyushu gathered at the residence of the Governor-General Ōtomo no Tabito and composed poems on the plum trees in his garden. The Chinese preface describes how, in the auspicious first month of early spring, the air was fine and the breeze gentle, the plums opened white like face powder before a mirror, and the orchids gave off a scent like a perfume sachet; it is also famous as the source of the era name Reiwa. The preface closes by proposing that, just as Chinese poetry has its pieces on falling plum blossoms, the company should compose short poems on the garden plums. The poem is signed "Priest Ara-shi Inashiki"; the priest oversaw rites at Dazaifu, and whether "Ara" stands for the Arakida or another clan is unsettled.
The poet, Arashi no Inashiki, was an official serving as priest at Dazaifu.

First line, "ume no hana": the banquet's theme.
Second line, "orite kazaseru": "having broken and worn them," picturing the guests.
Third line, "morobito wa": "all the people" gathered there; 843 likewise uses "morobito" for the company.
Fourth line, "kyō no aida wa": "for the span of this day," stressing the joy of a single, bounded day.
Fifth line, "tanoshiku aru beshi": "beshi" conjectures, "they must surely be happy," closing with a blessing on the feast.
Author: Arashi no Inashiki
Source: Manyoshu
Prev Poem: Haru nareba ube mo sakitaru ume no hana kimi o omou to yoi mo nenaku ni
Next Poem: Toshi no ha ni haru no kitaraba kaku shi koso ume o kazashite tanoshiku nomame