Nakatomi no futonoritogoto iiharae akau inochi mo ta ga tame ni nare

中臣の太祝詞言言ひ祓へ
贖ふ命も誰がために汝れ

Roma-ji: Nakatomi no futonoritogoto iiharae akau inochi mo ta ga tame ni nare
English Translation: The great sacred words
of the Nakatomi priests
we recite to cleanse,
and pray long life with offerings—
for whose sake, if not for yours
Meaning: Reciting the solemn ritual words of the Nakatomi to purify, and making offerings to pray for long life—for whose sake is it all, if not for yours?
Commentary: Book Seventeen 4031

Headnote: "A poem on brewing sake"
To recite the great Nakatomi prayers in purification and make offerings to pray for life is for none other than you—a poem wishing someone long life through a sacred rite. The title shows it is a poem for brewing sake, and it seems to have been composed in connection with the rite of brewing sake to offer to the gods. Solemn in tone and using the language of ritual prayers, it closes this book.
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.
The left note reads, "The above was composed by Ōtomo no Sukune Yakamochi."

First line, "Nakatomi no": the Nakatomi clan, who presided over court rituals.
Second line, "futonoritogoto": "the great words of the ritual prayer," futo being honorific.
Third line, "iiharae": "reciting them to purify," cleansing away sin and defilement.
Fourth line, "akau inochi mo": akau means to make offerings to atone for sin and avert misfortune, here praying thereby for long life.
Fifth line, "ta ga tame ni nare": "for whose sake? for yours," a forceful close holding question and answer in one line. The book, beginning with the sea journey from Tsukushi in 3890 at its head and following Yakamochi's days in Etchū, closes with this poem of blessing tied to a sacred rite.
Author: Otomo no Yakamochi
Source: Manyoshu
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