Aratama no toshi no o nagaku aga moeru kora ni koubeki tsuki chikazukinu

あらたまの年の緒長く我が思へる
子らに恋ふべき月近づきぬ

Roma-ji: Aratama no toshi no o nagaku aga moeru kora ni koubeki tsuki chikazukinu
English Translation: Through the long thread
of the new-jewel years
she whom I have loved—
the month when I must long for her
has now drawn near at hand
Meaning: The month is drawing near when I must leave and long for the one I have loved through so many long years.
Commentary: Book Nineteen 4244

Headnote: "A poem by the Ambassador, Fujiwara no Ason Kiyokawa"
Composed by the ambassador Fujiwara no Kiyokawa at a farewell banquet, it sings of the sorrow of parting before departure: the month draws near when he must leave the wife he has loved for long years and long for her from afar.
Though an ambassador charged with an official mission, he frankly expresses private feelings for the wife he leaves at home, showing very human emotion. The embassy to Tang China led by Fujiwara no Kiyokawa as ambassador was appointed in 750 and sailed from Naniwa in 752.
The poet, Fujiwara no Kiyokawa, was a son of Fujiwara no Fusasaki and a nephew of Empress Kōmyō. He crossed to Tang China as ambassador, but his homeward ship was wrecked, he returned to Tang, and he died there without ever coming home.

First line, "aratama no," is a pillow word for "toshi" (year).
Second line, "toshi no o nagaku" (through the long thread of years): "toshi no o" expresses the long continuation of years.
Third line, "aga moeru" (whom I have loved), is hypermetric, showing long devotion to his wife.
Fourth line, "kora ni koubeki" (for whom I must long): "kora" means a beloved woman or wife.
Fifth line, "tsuki chikazukinu" (the month has drawn near): "nu" marks completion, closing with the ache of approaching parting.
Author: Fujiwara no Kiyokawa
Source: Manyoshu
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