Inishie ni kimi ga miyo hete tsukaekeri aga ōnushi wa nanayo mōsane

いにしへに君が三代経て仕へけり
我が大主は七代申さね

Roma-ji: Inishie ni kimi ga miyo hete tsukaekeri aga ōnushi wa nanayo mōsane
English Translation: In days gone by
you have served through three reigns,
serving faithfully—
now, my lord, I pray that you
serve on through seven more
Meaning: Through three reigns in days gone by you have served the court—now, my lord, may you serve on through seven more.
Commentary: Book Nineteen 4256

Headnote: "A poem composed in advance to offer blessings to the Minister of the Left, Lord Tachibana"
Composed in advance to celebrate the long life and prosperity of the Minister of the Left, Tachibana no Moroe, it blesses him: you who have served through three reigns, serve on now through seven.
There are various views on whom "kimi" in "kimi ga miyo hete" refers to, but the prevailing view is that it speaks of Moroe himself having served through three reigns. The Ōtomo clan was politically close to Tachibana no Moroe, and the poem shows Yakamochi's reverence for him as he prepared to return to the capital.
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, "inishie ni" (in times past), refers to long service in the past.
Second line, "kimi ga miyo hete" (you through three reigns): "miyo" means three emperors' reigns.
Third line, "tsukaekeri" (you have served), confirms a past fact; the poem pauses here.
Fourth line, "aga ōnushi wa" (my lord): "ōnushi" means a revered master, referring to Moroe. This line is hypermetric.
Fifth line, "nanayo mōsane" (serve through seven reigns): "mōsu" means to serve, and "ne" expresses a wish, setting seven against three.
Author: Otomo no Yakamochi
Source: Manyoshu
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