Tori ga naku azuma o sashite fusaeshi ni yukamu to omoedo yoshi mo sane nashi

鶏が鳴く東をさしてふさへしに
行かむと思へどよしもさねなし

Roma-ji: Tori ga naku azuma o sashite fusaeshi ni yukamu to omoedo yoshi mo sane nashi
English Translation: Toward the eastland
where the cockerels crow at dawn,
as befits this gift,
I would set out on my way,
but I have no means at all.
Meaning: I would set out for the distant East, as befits a man with such a pouch, but I have no way at all to go.
Commentary: Book Eighteen 4131

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Four playful poems sent by Ōtomo no Sukune Ikenushi, secretary of Echizen Province."
The poet says he would like to set off for the East but has no means at all of going. Joking that, having received a needle pouch suited to an old traveler, he might journey even to the distant East, he laments that in fact he cannot leave his post, closing the four playful poems.
Ōtomo no Ikenushi was a member of the Ōtomo clan who served as secretary of Etchū while Yakamochi was governor there, exchanging many poems and letters with him. At this time he had been transferred to the post of secretary of Echizen.
The left note reads, "The poems in reply to these have been lost and cannot be found." "Fusaeshi ni" in the third line is a difficult word, one view taking it to mean "fittingly."

First line, "tori ga naku": a pillow word for "azuma," the East.
Second line, "azuma o sashite": "heading for the eastern lands." Taking up the "old traveler" of 4128, he imagines a journey to the distant East.
Third line, "fusaeshi ni": a difficult word; one view takes it to mean "as befits one carrying such a pouch."
Fourth line, "yukamu to omoedo": "mu" is an auxiliary of intention and "do" adversative, "though I think to go."
Last line, "yoshi mo sane nashi": "yoshi" means a means or way, and "sane" "at all," ending "there is no way at all to go." Playing the old traveler who cannot set out, he closes the playful group.
Author: Ōtomo no Ikenushi
Source: Manyoshu
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