天の川打橋渡せ妹が家道
やまず通はむ時待たずとも
やまず通はむ時待たずとも
- Roma-ji
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Amanogawa uchihashi watase imo ga iechi yamazu kayowamu toki matazu tomo
- English Translation
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The Heavenly River,
lay a plank bridge over it!
On the road to her home
ceaselessly I'll come and go,
though I wait not for the time.
- Meaning
- Lay a plank bridge across the Heavenly River! Then I will go along the road to my wife's home without ceasing, not waiting for the appointed time.
- Commentary
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Book Ten Autumn Miscellaneous Poems 2056
Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Tanabata"
This poem, in the Herdsman's voice, wishes a plank bridge were laid across the Heavenly River so he could go to his wife's home without ceasing, not waiting for the appointed time. It shows a strong wish to meet at any time, beyond the decree of once a year. Whereas the preceding poem lamented being able to wait only once a year, this one wishes to overcome that decree, in contrast.
The first line, "the Heavenly River," names the river dividing the stars.
In the second line, "uchihashi watase," "uchihashi" is a simple plank bridge and "watase" an imperative. The poem breaks here.
The third line, "the road to my wife's home," names the path.
In the fourth line, "yamazu kayowamu," "mu" expresses intention: I will go without ceasing.
In the last line, "toki matazu tomo," "tomo" marks a concessive supposition: even without waiting for the time. It closes with a wish that overcomes the decree.
- Source
- Manyoshu
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