A Father's Excuse: Japan's Most Relatable Poem, 730 CE
About the Poet
Yamanoue no Okura (660-733 CE) stands as one of the most distinctive voices in Japan's oldest poetry anthology. Unlike the aristocratic poets of his era, Okura wrote with raw humanity about poverty, aging, and family love. Born possibly in Korea or to immigrant parents, he served as a scholar-official and accompanied missions to Tang China, giving him a cosmopolitan perspective. His most productive years came during his posting to Dazaifu in Kyushu (726-733), where he befriended the governor Ōtomo no Tabito and participated in legendary poetry gatherings. This particular poem, famously delivered at a banquet, reveals his unconventional spirit—while others composed elegant verses about plum blossoms, Okura announced his departure to care for his crying child. This tender domesticity was revolutionary. Travelers to Dazaifu today can visit the Dazaifu Government Ruins where these gatherings occurred, walking the same grounds where Okura chose fatherhood over courtly convention.
Dazaifu (Poetry Gathering), Fukuoka
Dazaifu in Fukuoka Prefecture was ancient Japan's gateway to continental Asia, serving as the administrative capital of Kyushu from the 7th century. Today, this history-rich town offers travelers an intimate encounter with Nara-period culture. Visit the atmospheric Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, famous for 6,000 plum trees that bloom spectacularly from late February to March—the very season when Okura and his poet friends gathered here. Explore the Dazaifu Government Ruins, peaceful grassy fields where diplomatic missions were received and legendary poetry parties unfolded. The Kyushu National Museum nearby houses stunning artifacts from this international era. The town's nostalgic approach street offers traditional sweets, especially umegae-mochi rice cakes. Spring visits coincide with plum blossom season; autumn brings mild weather perfect for temple walks. Just 40 minutes from Hakata Station by train, Dazaifu rewards travelers seeking Japan beyond the obvious.
Understanding the Poem
This poem is revolutionary in Japanese literary history for its radical ordinariness. At an elegant banquet where officials composed refined verses about plum blossoms and immortality, Okura announced he must leave because his child was crying at home. The humor is gentle but the message profound: domestic love trumps courtly obligation. The repeated verb endings '-ramu' (probably, surely) create tender uncertainty—Okura imagines his child crying, his wife waiting. The self-reference 'Okura ra' (Okura and such) adds self-deprecating warmth. This privileging of family over fame was startlingly modern for 8th-century Japan. The poem embodies what scholars call 'human feeling poetry' (ninjo-shi), where raw emotion breaks through aristocratic formalism. For modern readers, it reminds us that parental love transcends time—a Nara-period official rushing home to a crying baby feels utterly contemporary.
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.