Sakazuki ni ume no hana ukabe omoudochi nomite no nochi wa chirinu tomo yoshi

酒杯に梅の花浮かべ思ふどち
飲みての後は散りぬともよし

Roma-ji: Sakazuki ni ume no hana ukabe omoudochi nomite no nochi wa chirinu tomo yoshi
English Translation: In our cups of wine
we will float the plum blossoms,
friends of the same heart,
and once we have drunk our fill,
let them scatter as they will
Meaning: Let us float plum blossoms in our wine cups and drink together, friends of one heart; once we have drunk, the flowers may fall as they will.
Commentary: Book Eight Winter Love Poems 1656

Headnote: "A poem by Lady Ōtomo no Sakanoue"
The poet sings that once friends of one heart have floated plum blossoms in their wine cups and drunk together, the flowers may fall as they will. In the elegant conceit of cups with plum blossoms floating in them, the pleasure of a gathering among intimates is expressed. According to the note on the next poem, wine had been forbidden by the authorities at the time, and gatherings for feasting in the neighborhoods of the capital were not permitted, though one or two close friends drinking together for pleasure was allowed.
The author, Lady Ōtomo no Sakanoue, was a daughter of Ōtomo no Yasumaro and a half-sister of Ōtomo no Tabito. She was the aunt of Ōtomo no Yakamochi and later also his mother-in-law, and she left many poems in the Man'yōshū.

The first line means "in the wine cups."
The second line, with an extra syllable, means "floating plum blossoms."
The third line means "friends who care for one another." The same word appears in Ōtomo no Yakamochi's 1591 in this book, which sings of a banquet among intimates.
The fourth line means "after we have drunk."
The final line, "they may fall," expresses the satisfaction of the feast. Like "let them fall if they will" in 1588 of this book, it sings of a heart that does not mind the flowers falling once pleasure has been enjoyed to the full.
Author: Lady Ōtomo no Sakanoue
Source: Manyoshu
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