Okuyama no yatsuo no tsubaki tsubaraka ni kyō wa kurasane masurao no tomo

奥山の八つ峰の椿つばらかに
今日は暮らさね大夫の伴

Roma-ji: Okuyama no yatsuo no tsubaki tsubaraka ni kyō wa kurasane masurao no tomo
English Translation: In the deep mountains
on the layered peaks, camellias—
to your hearts' content
spend this whole day, I pray you,
company of stalwart men
Meaning: Like the camellias on the layered peaks of the deep mountains, may you spend this day to your hearts' content, my company of stalwart men.
Commentary: Book Nineteen 4152

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Three poems from a banquet at the residence of the Governor, Ōtomo no Sukune Yakamochi, on the third day"
The host calls on the officials gathered at the third-month banquet to enjoy this day to their hearts' content. Using the camellias of the deep mountains as an introduction, the sound of "tsubaki" (camellia) leads into "tsubaraka ni" (to the full), a playful touch that heightens the mood of the party.
It is a greeting in which the host thanks his guests and expresses warmth toward the companions with whom he serves as a provincial official.
The poet, Ōtomo no Yakamochi, was the son of the Grand Counselor Ōtomo no Tabito. From 746 he served as Governor of Etchū, living at the provincial headquarters in what is now Fushiki, Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture. He is regarded as the leading poet of the Nara period and is thought to have played a central role in compiling the Man'yōshū.

First line, "okuyama no" (of the deep mountains), indicates mountains far from human settlements and, together with the second line, forms an introductory phrase.
Second line, "yatsuo no tsubaki" (the camellias of the layered peaks): "yatsuo" means peak upon peak, the same word as in "yatsuo no kigishi" in 4149 of this book. The first two lines form an introduction leading into the third line through the repeated sound of "tsubaki" and "tsubaraka ni."
Third line, "tsubaraka ni" (to the full, at ease), picks up the sound of the introduction and turns to the main point of the poem.
Fourth line, "kyō wa kurasane" (spend this day, I pray): "ne" is a final particle expressing a wish directed at others, showing the hope that the guests will pass the day happily.
Fifth line, "masurao no tomo" (my fellow stalwarts), addresses the officials gathered at the banquet, closing with affection and respect.
Author: Otomo no Yakamochi
Source: Manyoshu
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