Nubatama no kurokamiyama o asa koete yamashitatsuyu ni nurenikeru kamo

ぬばたまの黒髪山を朝越えて
山下露に濡れにけるかも

Roma-ji: Nubatama no kurokamiyama o asa koete yamashitatsuyu ni nurenikeru kamo
English Translation: Black as jet-black berries,
Kurokami Mountain
at dawn I crossed,
and in the dew beneath the trees
I have been drenched through
Meaning: Crossing Mount Kurokami at dawn, I was soaked by the dew beneath its trees.
Commentary: Book Seven Miscellaneous Poems 1241

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Composed on Journeys"
Crossing Mount Kurokami early in the morning, the poet is soaked by the dew beneath the trees. The chill and freshness of a mountain path at dawn come through the feel of the dew.
It is regarded as coming from the Old Collection. Mount Kurokami is thought to be part of Mount Saho, north of Nara. The pillow word "nubatama no" leads to "kuro" (black), so that associations of black hair mingle with the morning dew. The poet is unknown.

The first line uses "nubatama no," a pillow word for "kuro" (black).
The second line names Mount Kurokami north of Nara.
The third line, "at dawn I crossed," gives the time.
The fourth line refers to the dew lying beneath the mountain trees.
The final line, "I have been drenched through," is the same as the last line of poem 1141 in this book.
Source: Manyoshu
Prev Poem: Tamakushige mimoroto yama o yukishikaba omoshiroku shite inishie omōyu
Next Poem: Ashihiki no yama yukigurashi yado karaba imo tachimachite yado kasamu kamo