Michi no naka kunitsu mikami wa tabiyuki mo shi shiranu kimi o megumitamawa na

道の中国つみ神は旅行きも
し知らぬ君を恵みたまはな

Roma-ji: Michi no naka kunitsu mikami wa tabiyuki mo shi shiranu kimi o megumitamawa na
English Translation: O gods of the land
in the Middle of the Road,
one who never knew
the ways of journeying—
I pray you grant him your grace
Meaning: O gods of the land of Etchū, I pray you, look kindly on him, for he knows nothing of the ways of travel.
Commentary: Book Seventeen 3930

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Two more poems sent to the province of Etchū"
May the gods of Etchū protect and bless one unaccustomed to travel—a poem praying to the gods of his new post for Yakamochi's protection. This is one of two poems that Lady Sakanoue sent again to Etchū after Yakamochi had gone down to his post. Anxious for Yakamochi, raised in the capital and unused to long journeys, she calls on the gods of the land for their favor.
The poet, Lady Ōtomo no Sakanoue, was a daughter of Ōtomo no Yasumaro and half-sister of Tabito. She was Yakamochi's aunt and, since her daughter Sakanoue no Ōiratsume became his wife, also his mother-in-law.

First line, "michi no naka": the middle of the Koshi country, that is, Etchū. The Koshi country was divided into Michi no Kuchi (Echizen), Michi no Naka (Etchū) and Michi no Shiri (Echigo).
Second line, "kunitsu mikami wa": "the gods of that land," mi being an honorific prefix.
Third line, "tabiyuki mo": "traveling, too."
Fourth line, "shi shiranu kimi o": shi is emphatic—"you, who are unaccustomed to travel."
Fifth line, "megumitamawa na": na is a particle of wishing addressed to another—"please bless him." Answering the prayer of the sacred jar in 3927, Lady Sakanoue's four poems are bound together by prayers for Yakamochi's safety.
Author: Lady Ōtomo no Sakanoue
Source: Manyoshu
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