Tamatsushima miredomo akazu ika ni shite tsutsumi mochiyukamu minu hito no tame

玉津島見れども飽かずいかにして
包み持ち行かむ見ぬ人のため

Roma-ji: Tamatsushima miredomo akazu ika ni shite tsutsumi mochiyukamu minu hito no tame
English Translation: Tamatsu Island—
though I gaze I never tire;
how could I wrap it
and carry it home with me
for those who have not seen it?
Meaning: I could gaze at Tamatsu Island forever—how might I wrap it up and carry it home for those who have never seen it?
Commentary: Book Seven Miscellaneous Poems 1222

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Composed on Journeys"
The poet wishes he could somehow wrap up the beauty of Tamatsu Island, which he never tires of gazing at, and carry it home to show those who have not seen it. The whimsical idea of wrapping up a landscape to take home holds both admiration for the island and affection for those at home.
It is the last of the seven poems by Lord Fujiwara. Tamatsu Island also appears in poems 1215 and 1217 in this book, and the thought of the scene for those who have not seen it echoes the idea of poem 1215.
The author, "Fujiwara-kyō," is an honorific title for a senior noble of the Fujiwara clan. He is said to be either Fujiwara no Fusasaki or Fujiwara no Maro, and there is no settled view as to whom it refers.

The first line names Tamatsu Island in Waka Bay, Kii.
The second line, "though I gaze I never tire," pauses the poem.
The third line, "how could I," asks for a means.
The fourth line, "wrap it and carry it home with me," has an extra syllable.
The final line, "for those who have not seen it," gives the purpose by inversion.
Author: Lord Fujiwara
Source: Manyoshu
Prev Poem: Waga fune no kaji wa na hiki so yamato yori koikoshi kokoro imada akanaku ni
Next Poem: Wata no soko oki kogu fune o he ni yosemu kaze mo fukanu ka nami tatezu shite