Tamakiharu inochi ni mukai koimu yu wa kimi ga mifune no kajikara ni mo ga

たまきはる命に向ひ恋ひむゆは
君が御船の楫柄にもが

Roma-ji: Tamakiharu inochi ni mukai koimu yu wa kimi ga mifune no kajikara ni mo ga
English Translation: With all of my soul,
risking life itself to long,
rather than that, I
would be on your honored ship
the handle of an oar
Meaning: Rather than pine for you at the risk of my very life, I would sooner be the handle of an oar on the ship that carries you.
Commentary: Book Eight Spring Love Poems 1455

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "A poem [with tanka] sent by Kasa no Ason Kanamura to the envoy to Tang, in the intercalary third month of spring, Tenpyō 5, year of the Water Rooster," envoy
Rather than stay behind longing at the risk of his life, the poet wishes he could become the handle of an oar on the traveler's ship and cross the sea together. The pain of parting is expressed through the bold wish to be part of the ship itself rather than be separated. This is the second envoy attached to the long poem 1453.
The author, Kasa no Kanamura, was a court poet of the early Nara period who composed many poems while accompanying imperial progresses.

The first line, "tamakiharu," is a pillow word for "life."
The second line means "at the risk of my life," showing the intensity of longing.
In the third line, "yu wa" marks comparison: "rather than longing."
The fourth line honors the envoys' vessel as "mifune." Whereas the preceding poem laments from the side of those who watch the ship recede, this one seeks to cling to the ship itself, so the two poems portray the feelings of the one left behind in different ways.
The final line, with the desiderative "mo ga," wishes to be the handle of an oar.
Author: Kasa no Kanamura
Source: Manyoshu
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