Sources:
The Diary of Murasaki Shikibu (Murasaki Shikibu Nikki), written from circa 1008 to 1010
Original version, edited by Hokiichi Hanawa:
Modernised edition, edited by Eiichi Shibuya:
English translation in Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan (1920), compiled and translated by Annie Shepley Omori and Kochi Doi
Above: Murasaki Shikibu in a portrait by Satake Eikai.
The poem:
いかにいかゝ數へやるへき八千歲の餘り久き君かみよをは
Romaji transliteration (in reconstructed Early Middle Japanese):
Ikani ikaga ka kadzu e yarubeki yatitose no amari hisasi ki kimi ka mi yo wo fa
In modernised spelling:
いかにいかがかぞへやるべき八千歳の あまり久しき君が御代をば
Romaji transliteration:
Ikani ikaga kazu e yarubeki yachitose no amari hisashiki kimi ga mi yo o ba
English translation:
How can I number the years of the Prince!
One thousand, nay, eight thousand, may he live, and more.
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