Yoso nomi ni mireba arishi o kyō mite wa toshi ni wasurezu omōemu kamo

よそのみに見ればありしを今日見ては
年に忘れず思ほえむかも

Roma-ji: Yoso nomi ni mireba arishi o kyō mite wa toshi ni wasurezu omōemu kamo
English Translation: Only from afar
had I looked upon it, but
having seen it today,
through the years I'll not forget—
it will ever come to mind
Meaning: Until now I had only seen it from afar, but having seen it today, I shall never forget it, and it will come back to my mind through all the years.
Commentary: Book Nineteen 4269

Headnote: "Four poems from the imperial banquet held at the residence of the Minister of the Left, Tachibana no Ason, on the eighth day of the eleventh month"
An imperial poem by the Retired Emperor Shōmu at the banquet at Tachibana no Moroe's residence, it praises the host's home: until now he had only seen it from afar, but having visited and seen it close today, he will remember it unforgettably through the years.
These poems come from an imperial banquet given when the Retired Emperor Shōmu visited the residence of the Minister of the Left, Tachibana no Moroe, on the eighth day of the eleventh month of 752. The left note says, "The above poem is an imperial poem of the Retired Emperor." It shows his deep trust in and affection for Moroe, whose house he honored with a visit.
The poet, Emperor Shōmu, a son of Emperor Monmu, is known for vowing to build the Great Buddha of Tōdaiji. He abdicated in favor of his daughter, Empress Kōken, in 749 and was at this time retired emperor.

First line, "yoso nomi ni" (only from afar): "yoso" means a distant place.
Second line, "mireba arishi o" (so I saw it, but): "o" is concessive, preparing the contrast with today.
Third line, "kyō mite wa" (having seen it today), marks the day of the visit.
Fourth line, "toshi ni wasurezu" (not forgetting through the years).
Fifth line, "omōemu kamo" (it will come to mind): "omōyu" means to come to mind of itself, and "kamo" is exclamatory.
Author: Emperor Shōmu
Source: Manyoshu
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