Azusayumi yuzuka makikae nakami sashi sara ni hiku tomo kimi ga manimani

梓弓弓束巻き替へ中見さし
さらに引くとも君がまにまに

Roma-ji: Azusayumi yuzuka makikae nakami sashi sara ni hiku tomo kimi ga manimani
English Translation: Though on the catalpa bow
the grip be wrapped anew,
and the arrow aimed,
and drawn once more, it will be
all as you yourself will have it
Meaning: Though the grip of the catalpa bow be wrapped anew, the aim taken, and the string drawn once again, it will all be as you wish.
Commentary: Book Eleven Love Poems Ancient and Modern I 2830

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Metaphorical Poems"
Though the grip of the catalpa bow be rewrapped and the bow drawn anew, all will be as the other wishes. Drawing a bow set in order once again is a figure for courting someone's heart anew, and the poem is understood as leaving the outcome in the other's hands.
By the left note "the one poem above expresses feelings through a bow," this poem uses a bow as its figure. The material shifts from the robes of the two preceding poems to a bow, and from here on metaphorical poems on many things, a boat, fish, water, fruit, grasses, follow one or several at a time.
The author is unknown. The anonymous poems of Book Eleven gather the love poems of people whose names have not come down to us.

First line, "azusayumi": a bow made of catalpa wood. It announces at the outset a poem on a bow, taking as its material a bow of the kind also used in ancient rites.
Second line, "yuzuka makikae": "rewrapping the grip," the leather or cloth wound around the bow's handhold. Putting the bow in order anew is overlaid with turning to the other with a renewed heart.
Third line, "nakami sashi": the meaning of this line is unclear. One view takes it as fixing one's eye on the center of the target, but nothing is certain; in any case it is understood as describing preparation for drawing the bow.
Fourth line, "sara ni hiku tomo": "even if drawn once more." "Hiku" overlays drawing a bow with drawing or courting a person's heart, and "tomo" states a concessive supposition.
Fifth line, "kimi ga manimani": "as you wish." Leaving off a word such as "I will follow," it trails away and lets the feeling of entrusting the outcome to the other linger.
Source: Manyoshu
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