Inochi o shi sakiku yokemu to iwabashiru tarumi no mizu o musubite nomitsu

命をし幸くよけむと石走る
垂水の水をむすびて飲みつ

Roma-ji: Inochi o shi sakiku yokemu to iwabashiru tarumi no mizu o musubite nomitsu
English Translation: Praying that my life
might be safe and long and well,
where over rocks it rushes,
the water of the waterfall
I scooped in my hands and drank
Meaning: Praying that my life might be kept safe and long, I cupped my hands and drank from the waterfall that rushes over the rocks.
Commentary: Book Seven Miscellaneous Poems 1142

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Composed in Settsu"
On his journey the poet cupped his hands and drank from a waterfall rushing over the rocks, praying that his life might be kept safe. Drinking the pure water reveals a belief in praying for long life and a safe journey.
It is one of the poems composed in Settsu. Tarumi may also be a place name in Settsu, and one theory places it near Tarumi in present-day Suita, Osaka. The poet is unknown.

In the first line, "shi" is an emphatic particle attached to "inochi" (life).
The second line, "might be safe and long and well," expresses the wish for a safe life.
The third line, "where over rocks it rushes," also serves as a pillow word for "tarumi."
In the fourth line, "tarumi" means falling water, a waterfall; it may also be read as a place name.
In the final line, "I scooped in my hands and drank," "tsu" is perfective.
Source: Manyoshu
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