Ōbune ni makaji shijinuki kono ako o Karakuni e yaru iwae kamitachi

大船に真楫しじ貫きこの我子を
唐国へ遣る斎へ神たち

Roma-ji: Ōbune ni makaji shijinuki kono ako o Karakuni e yaru iwae kamitachi
English Translation: To a mighty ship
fitting oars in great number,
this dear child of mine
I send to the land of Tang—
guard him, all you gods
Meaning: I fit a great ship with many oars and send this dear child of mine to the land of Tang—O gods, watch over him.
Commentary: Book Nineteen 4240

Headnote: "A poem composed by Empress Dowager Fujiwara on the day of the rites to the gods at Kasuga, bestowed on Fujiwara no Ason Kiyokawa, Ambassador to Tang [Consultant, Junior Fourth Rank Lower, envoy to Tang]"
Composed by Empress Kōmyō on the day of the rites at Kasuga and given to her nephew Fujiwara no Kiyokawa, setting out for Tang China as ambassador, it prays: with many oars fitted to a great ship, I send this beloved child to the land of Tang—gods, protect him. The address "this child of mine" shows the empress's deep love for her nephew, cherished like her own son.
The embassy to Tang China led by Fujiwara no Kiyokawa as ambassador was appointed in 750 and sailed from Naniwa in 752. From this poem to 4247 is a group of poems related to embassies to Tang, transmitted by the Etchū official Takayasu no Tanemaro, as the left note says: "The poems above were transmitted by Takayasu no Kurahito no Tanemaro, Senior Clerk of Etchū. Their order follows the time at which they were heard, not their dates."
The poet, Empress Kōmyō, was a daughter of Fujiwara no Fuhito and consort of Emperor Shōmu; by this time she was empress dowager. Kiyokawa's father, Fusasaki, was her brother.

First line, "ōbune ni" (to a great ship), names the large embassy vessel, evoking a long voyage.
Second line, "makaji shijinuki" (fitting it with many oars): "makaji" are oars and "shijinuku" means to fit in abundance, showing thorough preparation.
Third line, "kono ako o" (this child of mine): "ako" is a loving address, calling her nephew her own child.
Fourth line, "Karakuni e yaru" (I send to the land of Tang); the poem pauses here.
Fifth line, "iwae kamitachi" (guard him, O gods): "iwau" means to worship and pray for safety, and the imperative closes with a prayer for divine protection.
Author: Empress Kōmyō
Source: Manyoshu
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