Prince Karu's Retreat To Remember His Father Poem by Kakinomoto no Asomi Hitomaro

Leaving Royal City far behind,

the prince makes for the wilds of Hatsuse

enclosed by rugged hills.

Climbing trackless slopes

on foot, among tall trees

he goes past rocks and bushes

into thick jungle as birds sing

at the start of day.

When in the west the burning sunglow fades

and evening darkens on Aki's vast moor,

still white with snow, he brushes

down tall plumed grasses growing there,

and lies down on a rustic bed

to meditate on days gone by.