Miyakoe ni tatsu hi chikazuku akumade ni aimite yukana kouru hi ōkemu

都辺に立つ日近づく飽くまでに
相見て行かな恋ふる日多けむ

Roma-ji: Miyakoe ni tatsu hi chikazuku akumade ni aimite yukana kouru hi ōkemu
English Translation: The day I set out
toward the capital draws near;
until we have had
our fill, let us look on each other—
many days of longing lie ahead
Meaning: The day I leave for the capital is drawing near; let us look on each other to our hearts' content before I go, for many will be the days of longing.
Commentary: Book Seventeen 3999

Headnote: "A poem from a drinking party at the residence of Governor Ōtomo no Sukune Yakamochi (twenty-sixth day of the fourth month)"
The day of departure for the capital is near; let them look at one another to their hearts' content before he goes, for there will be many days of longing—a poem on the eve of parting. It comes from a drinking party at Yakamochi's own residence on the twenty-sixth day of the fourth month of 747, the same day as the farewell banquet at Ikenushi's house. There is no left note, but since it speaks from the position of the one departing, it is taken to be by Yakamochi.
The poet, Ōtomo no Yakamochi, was the son of the Major Counselor Ōtomo no Tabito. Appointed Governor of Etchū in 746, he spent five years there, later serving as Junior Counselor and Governor of Inaba before rising to Middle Counselor. He is thought to have played a central role in compiling the Man'yōshū.

First line, "miyakoe ni": "toward the capital."
Second line, "tatsu hi chikazuku": "the day of departure draws near"; the poem pauses here.
Third line, "akumade ni": "to our hearts' content."
Fourth line, "aimite yukana": na expresses intention or invitation—"let us look on each other before I go." The poem pauses again here.
Fifth line, "kouru hi ōkemu": "many will be the days of longing," adding the reason afterward. Like "minu hi samanemi koishikemu kamo" in 3995, it thinks of the many days after parting.
Author: Ōtomo no Yakamochi (attributed)
Source: Manyoshu
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