Iso no ue no tsumama o mireba ne o haete toshi fukakarashi kamusabinikeri

礒の上のつままを見れば根を延へて
年深からし神さびにけり

Roma-ji: Iso no ue no tsumama o mireba ne o haete toshi fukakarashi kamusabinikeri
English Translation: On the rocky shore
when I look at the tsumama,
its roots stretching wide,
it must be of great age—
it has grown divine indeed
Meaning: When I look at the tsumama tree upon the rocks of the shore, its roots spread far, it must be very old—how godlike it has become.
Commentary: Book Nineteen 4159

Headnote: "On the ninth day of the third month of late spring, going to Furue Village on business concerning rice loans, poems on things and flowers seen along the way, and poems composed on impulse / A poem on seeing a tree on a rock when passing the Cape of Shibutani [the tree is called tsumama]"
On his way to Furue Village on official business concerning rice loans, the poet passes the Cape of Shibutani and is struck by the divine majesty of an old tsumama tree rooted atop a rock. His reverence for a tree that has lived through long years is expressed in spare language.
Suiko was a system in which provincial officials lent rice in spring and collected it with interest in autumn, an important duty of the governor. Shibutani is thought to be the Amaharashi coast area of Ōta in present-day Takaoka, and tsumama is thought to be the tabunoki (Machilus thunbergii). According to the headnote, several poems were composed during this tour.
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, "iso no ue no" (upon the rocky shore), shows that the tree stands in a harsh place, on rocks washed by waves.
Second line, "tsumama o mireba" (when I see the tsumama), names the tree and introduces the discovery and emotion that follow.
Third line, "ne o haete" (spreading its roots): "hau" means to stretch out, depicting the strength of a tree that has spread its roots over the rock.
Fourth line, "toshi fukakarashi" (it must be many years old): "rashi" is an inference based on evidence, reasoning from the spreading roots that the tree has passed long years.
Fifth line, "kamusabinikeri" (it has become godlike): "kamusabu" means to grow old and divine, and "keri" is exclamatory, closing with wonder at the sacredness dwelling in the old tree.
Author: Otomo no Yakamochi
Source: Manyoshu
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