Ashihiki no yama yukigurashi yado karaba imo tachimachite yado kasamu kamo

あしひきの山行き暮らし宿借らば
妹立ち待ちてやど貸さむかも

Roma-ji: Ashihiki no yama yukigurashi yado karaba imo tachimachite yado kasamu kamo
English Translation: Through the rugged hills
walking all day till dusk,
if I seek a lodging,
would my love be standing there,
waiting to give me shelter?
Meaning: If, after walking the mountain paths all day until dark, I should look for a place to stay—would my beloved be standing there waiting to give me shelter?
Commentary: Book Seven Miscellaneous Poems 1242

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Composed on Journeys"
After walking the mountain paths all day until dark, the poet imagines how wonderful it would be if, when he sought lodging, his beloved were standing at the door waiting to take him in. Amid the weariness of travel, his heart conjures up the figure of the one he loves.
It is regarded as coming from the Old Collection. The poet is unknown.

The first line uses "ashihiki no," a pillow word for "yama" (mountain).
The second line, "walking all day till dusk," means spending the day on the mountain road.
The third line, "if I seek a lodging," states the supposition.
The fourth line, "would my love be standing there," pictures her waiting.
The final line repeats "yado" (lodging) from the third line.
Source: Manyoshu
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