It is said that Kan Ke (also known as Sugawara no Michizane, 845-903 AD), wrote this after accompanying the retired emperor to Uda to temple at Temuka Mountain (Temuka = Hand Facing = Offering, so Offering Mountain). Protocol demanded that he could not make an offering at the same time as the retired emperor, so he could only offer the mountain’s beautiful coat of fall foliage.
My Translation
By Kan Ke
On this occasion,
I cannot make an offering:
I pray that Offering Hill’s
Fine brocade of colored leaves
Finds mercy with the gods.
Original Japanese
菅家
このたびは
幣もとりあへず
手向山
紅葉のにしき
神のまにまに
Pronunciation
Kan Ke
Kono tabi wa
Nusa mo toriaezu
Tamukeyama
Momiji no nishiki
Kami no mani mani
Literal Translation
Kan Ke
This occasion as for
[type of Shinto offering staff] [to take hands / for the time being] cannot
Temuka Mountain [= Hand Facing Mountain = Offering Mountain]
[Foliage/colored leaves]’s [brocade/fine dress]
[God/spirit/divinity]’s at the mercy of
Year:
2011
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