Aki no hana kusagusa ni aredo iro goto ni meshi akiramuru kyō no tōtosa

秋の花種にあれど色ごとに
見し明らむる今日の貴さ

Roma-ji: Aki no hana kusagusa ni aredo iro goto ni meshi akiramuru kyō no tōtosa
English Translation: The flowers of autumn,
though they are of many kinds,
each by its color
he views and gladdens his heart—
how precious is this day
Meaning: The flowers of autumn are of many kinds, and how precious is this day when our sovereign views each of their colors and gladdens his heart.
Commentary: Book Nineteen 4255

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "A poem composed in advance on impulse on the road to the capital, for attending a banquet at imperial command, with a short poem"; envoy, one poem
An envoy to a long poem composed in advance, on impulse, on the road to the capital, in readiness for attending an imperial banquet and offering poems at the emperor's command after his return. It praises the preciousness of the banquet day when the emperor views each color of the many autumn flowers and gladdens his heart.
It takes up the long poem's praise of the emperor's reign and of the precious day of feasting amid autumn flowers. It shows Yakamochi's readiness as a court poet, preparing poems in advance for an anticipated banquet.
The poet, Ōtomo no Yakamochi, was the son of the Grand Counselor Ōtomo no Tabito. After more than five years as Governor of Etchū, he was appointed Junior Counselor in 751 and was on the road back to the capital. He is thought to have played a central role in compiling the Man'yōshū.

First line, "aki no hana" (autumn flowers), presents the many flowers adorning the banquet.
Second line, "kusagusa ni aredo" (though they are of many kinds), is hypermetric; "kusagusa" means various.
Third line, "iro goto ni" (each by its color), shows the emperor admiring each one.
Fourth line, "meshi akiramuru" (viewing and gladdening his heart): "mesu" is honorific for "see," and "akiramu" means to clear the heart.
Fifth line, "kyō no tōtosa" (the preciousness of this day), ends on a noun, echoing "how wondrously precious" at the close of the long poem.
Author: Otomo no Yakamochi
Source: Manyoshu
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