Kushi mo miji yanuchi mo hakaji kusamakura tabi yuku kimi o iwau to omoite

櫛も見じ屋内も掃かじ草枕
旅行く君を斎ふと思ひて

Roma-ji: Kushi mo miji yanuchi mo hakaji kusamakura tabi yuku kimi o iwau to omoite
English Translation: I will touch no comb,
I will sweep no room within,
while on grass-pillowed
journeys you go far away,
that I may keep you safe
Meaning: I will not touch my comb, nor sweep the house, keeping myself pure to pray for your safety as you set out on your journey.
Commentary: Book Nineteen 4263

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Two poems from a farewell, in the intercalary third month, at the house of Ōtomo no Sukune Kojihi, Captain of the Gate Guards, for the Vice-Ambassador to Tang, Ōtomo no Sukune Komaro, and others"
Recited at the farewell banquet for Vice-Ambassador Ōtomo no Komaro and others, it says the speaker will not take up a comb nor sweep inside the house, abstaining in order to pray for the safety of the one setting out on his journey. Behind it lies the ancient custom of abstinence by which those at home refrained from combing their hair or cleaning while a traveler was away.
Praying for a safe journey from the viewpoint of one waiting at home, it pairs with the preceding celebratory poem. The text carries an original note, "author not yet known," and the author is unidentified. The left note says, "The above poems were transmitted by Ōtomo no Sukune Murakami, Ōtomo no Kiyotsugu, and others," so they were passed down by members of the Ōtomo clan.

First line, "kushi mo miji" (I will not look to my comb): "ji" is negative volition, a resolve not to comb her hair.
Second line, "yanuchi mo hakaji" (nor sweep inside the house): "yanuchi" is the interior of the house, paired with the first line; the poem pauses here.
Third line, "kusamakura," is a pillow word for "tabi" (journey).
Fourth line, "tabi yuku kimi o" (you who set out on your journey), refers to the envoy departing.
Fifth line, "iwau to omoite" (meaning to keep you safe): "iwau" means to purify oneself and pray for safety, giving the reason last by inversion.
Source: Manyoshu
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