焼太刀のかど打ち放ち大夫の
寿く豊御酒に我れ酔ひにけり
寿く豊御酒に我れ酔ひにけり
- Roma-ji
-
Yakitachi no kado uchihanachi masurao no hoku toyomiki ni ware einikeri
- English Translation
-
Of the tempered sword
striking the edges loud and clear,
the men of valor
bless the abundant wine, and I
have grown drunk upon it all
- Meaning
- Striking the edges of their tempered swords, the men of valor bless the abundant wine, and on that wine I have grown drunk.
- Commentary
-
Book Six Miscellaneous Poems 989
Headnote: "A poem by Prince Yuhara on striking wine"
The poem says that the speaker has grown quite drunk on the abundant wine that valiant men bless as they strike the edges of their tempered swords. The meaning of "striking wine" in the headnote is unclear, but the poem was composed at a drinking banquet.
"Kado uchihanachi" is thought to describe the gesture of striking swords to make them ring, a ritual act at a festive gathering. The poem depicts a vigorous and bright banquet scene in which the speaker becomes drunk on wine blessed by brave men ringing their swords.
The poet, Prince Yuhara, was a son of Prince Shiki, himself a son of Emperor Tenji, and was a poet of the early Nara period.
The word "abundant wine" in the fourth line of this poem is the same as "this abundant wine" in the long poem 973, in which the Emperor gave wine to the Military Commissioners, and the two also resonate in linking men of valor with wine. With the preceding poem, 988, it is placed as a banquet poem, depicting the festive gathering from two sides.
The first line, "Of the tempered sword," refers to a sword forged in fire. It suggests a keen blade and sets a valiant mood.
The second line, "striking the edges loud and clear," is taken to mean striking the edges of the sword to make them ring. It is thought to express the gesture of ringing swords at a celebration.
The third line, "the men of valor," means fine and brave men, referring to the men gathered at the banquet. It resonates with "man of valor" in 968 and 974.
The fourth line, "bless the abundant wine, and I," means "the fine wine they bless." "Hoku" is to bless with words of celebration, and "toyomiki" is an honorific term for wine.
The final line, "have grown drunk upon it all," means "I have become drunk," with "ni" expressing completion and "keri" exclamation. It closes the poem on a heart intoxicated with the pleasure of the banquet.
- Author
- Prince Yuhara
- Source
- Manyoshu
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