Why Can't We Just Fly Away? A Poet's Cry, Dazaifu 731 CE
About the Poet
Yamanoue no Okura (660-733 CE) stands among the most distinctively human voices in Japan's oldest poetry anthology. Born possibly in Paekche (Korea), he served as an envoy to Tang China before becoming a provincial governor in Kyushu. His poetry breaks from the romantic conventions of his era, instead confronting poverty, aging, parental love, and social injustice with startling directness. While stationed at Dazaifu—the administrative center of Kyushu—Okura composed his most celebrated works, including dialogues on poverty and laments for his children. His poetry circle included Ōtomo no Tabito, forming a brilliant literary salon in this frontier outpost. For modern visitors to Dazaifu, Okura represents the profound humanity possible in ancient verse—a poet who looked at suffering and did not turn away. His tomb is believed to be in Fukuoka Prefecture, making this region essential pilgrimage for those seeking poetry's power to voice our most universal struggles.
Dazaifu, Fukuoka
Dazaifu, nestled in Fukuoka Prefecture's gentle hills, once served as ancient Japan's gateway to continental Asia. Today, this atmospheric town enchants visitors with Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to the god of learning, where thousands of plum trees bloom each February. The adjacent Kyushu National Museum houses treasures from Japan's continental exchanges. Walk the approach lined with traditional shops selling umegae-mochi rice cakes. The ruins of the ancient government headquarters evoke the Nara period when poets like Okura administered this frontier. Visit in late February for plum blossoms, or autumn for serene temple gardens. Just 20 minutes from Hakata Station by train, Dazaifu offers a contemplative escape into literary history.
Understanding the Poem
This poem exemplifies Okura's characteristic blend of Buddhist philosophy and raw human emotion. The word 'ushi' carries weight beyond mere sadness—it suggests life's fundamental suffering, while 'yasashi' implies shame or difficulty in facing others. The bird metaphor resonates across cultures: who hasn't wished to simply fly away from troubles? Yet Okura's genius lies in the final acknowledgment of our grounded humanity. Written during his governorship at distant Dazaifu, far from the Nara capital, the poem likely reflects both personal hardship and his observations of common people's struggles. The Man'yōshū preserves this moment of existential honesty from 731 CE—a reminder that human suffering and our inability to escape it transcends thirteen centuries.
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