Karahito mo ikada ukabete asobu to iu kyō zo waga seko hanakazura sena

漢人も筏浮かべて遊ぶといふ
今日ぞ我が背子花かづらせな

Roma-ji: Karahito mo ikada ukabete asobu to iu kyō zo waga seko hanakazura sena
English Translation: Even the men of Tang
set rafts afloat on the stream
and make merry, they say—
today is the day, my friend,
let us wear flower garlands
Meaning: This is the day when even the people of Tang, they say, float rafts upon the water and make merry—so come, my friend, let us crown ourselves with garlands of flowers.
Commentary: Book Nineteen 4153

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"
Since the third day of the third month is a day when even the people of Tang China float rafts and make merry, the poet invites his guests to wear flower garlands and enjoy themselves too. Citing the Chinese customs of this festival, he likens the banquet in Etchū to an elegant festival pastime.
In China it was customary to purify oneself at the waterside on this day and hold a winding-stream banquet, and the poem shows interest in and admiration for continental culture. It is a bright invitation that closes the three banquet poems.
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, "karahito mo" (the people of Tang, too): "karahito" means the Chinese, and "mo" sets them alongside the poet's own company.
Second line, "ikada ukabete" (floating rafts), depicts the Chinese custom of floating rafts on the water on this day.
Third line, "asobu to iu" (they make merry, they say), is in reported form, presenting the foreign custom as something heard of.
Fourth line, "kyō zo waga seko" (it is today, my friend): "zo" is an emphatic particle stressing that it is this very day, and the sense breaks here. "Waga seko" then addresses the poet's banquet companions.
Fifth line, "hanakazura sena" (let us wear flower garlands): "na" is a final particle of intention or invitation, closing with the call to wear garlands.
Author: Otomo no Yakamochi
Source: Manyoshu
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