剣太刀いよよ磨ぐべし古ゆ
さやけく負ひて来にしその名ぞ
さやけく負ひて来にしその名ぞ
- Roma-ji
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Tsurugitachi iyoyo togubeshi inishie yu sayakeku oite kinishi sono na zo
- English Translation
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Like a sword or blade
hone yourselves ever keener,
for from ages past
pure and clear we've borne it on,
this name that is ours to keep
- Meaning
- Whet yourselves ever keener, like a sword; this is the name we have borne pure and bright since ancient times.
- Commentary
-
Book Twenty Miscellaneous Poems 4467
Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "A poem with tanka admonishing my clan."
Whet yourselves ever keener like a sword; this is the name we have borne pure since ancient times: the second envoy, preaching to the clan the weight of their name. According to the left note, Yakamochi composed it after Ōtomo no Kojihi was dismissed as Governor of Izumo through the slander of Ōmi no Mifune. Taking up "bearing a name" in the preceding poem, it warns again that they must brace their hearts and not sully that name.
The author, Ōtomo no Yakamochi, son of Ōtomo no Tabito, was chief of the Ōtomo clan. At this time he was Junior Assistant Minister of Military Affairs.
The first line, "tsurugitachi," "sword and blade," is a word fitting for the warrior Ōtomo clan.
The second line, "iyoyo togubeshi," "hone it ever keener," is a figure for sharpening the heart. The poem pauses here.
The third line, "inishie yu," means "from ancient times."
The fourth line, "sayakeku oite," means "bearing it pure and clear."
The closing line, "kinishi sono na zo," stresses "this is the name handed down," taking up the "name" of the preceding poem to preach its worth.
- Author
- Otomo no Yakamochi
- Source
- Manyoshu
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Shikishima no Yamato no kuni ni akirakeki na ni ou tomo no o kokoro tsutomeyo
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Utsusemi wa kazu naki mi nari yamakawa no sayakeki mitsutsu michi o tazunena