Sakurabana chiraba oshikemu tamaboko no michiyukiburi ni orite kazasamu

桜花散らば惜しけむ玉鉾の
道行きぶりに折りてかざさむ

Roma-ji: Sakurabana chiraba oshikemu tamaboko no michiyukiburi ni orite kazasamu
English Translation: Cherry blossoms, oh,
if they scatter I will grieve;
on the jeweled-spear road,
in passing as I go my way,
I'll break a branch to wear them.
Meaning: If the cherry blossoms scatter I will regret it—so as I pass along the road I'll break off a branch and wear it in my hair.
Commentary: Spring Poems 46

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Composed on blossoms"
Because it would be a pity if they fell, the poet resolves to break off a cherry branch along the way and wear it in his hair. He expresses his love of blossoms through the simple act of adorning himself with them, in Man'yō style. Kamo no Mabuchi marked it with a circle.
This poem was included in the Shinchokusen Wakashū. Michiyukiburi is a word found in the Man'yōshū.

Line 1, "Cherry blossoms," opens like the preceding poem, 45.
Line 2 combines a hypothetical (irrealis with ba) with oshikemu, the old irrealis of oshi plus mu; the poem pauses here.
Line 3, tamaboko no ("jeweled spear"), is a pillow word for "road."
Line 4: michiyukiburi means "in passing on the road."
Line 5: mu expresses intention. Where 45 kept watch over the blossoms, here the poet cherishes them by wearing them.
Author: Minamoto no Sanetomo
Source: Kinkaishu
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