Uguisu no naku kuratani ni uchihamete yake wa shinu tomo kimi o shi matamu

鴬の鳴くくら谷にうちはめて
焼けは死ぬとも君をし待たむ

Roma-ji: Uguisu no naku kuratani ni uchihamete yake wa shinu tomo kimi o shi matamu
English Translation: Into the dark vale
where the warbler sings its song,
though I throw myself
and perish there in flames,
still I will wait for you
Meaning: Even if I threw myself into the dark valley where the warbler sings and perished in the flames, I would still wait for you.
Commentary: Book Seventeen 3941

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Twelve poems sent by Lady Heguri to Ōtomo no Sukune Yakamochi, Governor of Etchū"
Even if she threw herself into the dark valley where the warbler sings and burned to death, she would still wait for him—a poem of fierce resolve. This is one of twelve poems that Lady Heguri entrusted to messengers from time to time and sent to Yakamochi, who had left the capital as Governor of Etchū. It shows with extreme expression a love that will wait through any suffering. Interpretations of its background vary, and it is regarded as a difficult poem.
The poet, Lady Heguri, was a woman of the Heguri clan whose life is otherwise unknown. She was one of the women who exchanged love poems with Yakamochi.
The left note reads, "The above twelve poems were sent from time to time by passing messengers; they were not sent all at once."

First line, "uguisu no": "where the warbler sings," suggesting a valley in spring.
Second line, "naku kuratani ni": kuratani is a dark, deep valley.
Third line, "uchihamete": "throwing myself in."
Fourth line, "yake wa shinu tomo": "even if I burned to death," tomo being a concessive hypothetical.
Fifth line, "kimi o shi matamu": shi is emphatic and mu expresses intention—"I will wait for you," a firm declaration. The next poem, 3942, opens with "pine flowers," punning on matsu ("wait"), so the waiting continues.
Author: Lady Heguri
Source: Manyoshu
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