Today, a rarity among Man'yô poems - a couple mentioning Buddhism. The religion was well-established in Japan by this time, having been introduced some two hundred odd years before and there were many great temples in the capital, Nara. Here, a sick Yakamochi expresses his desire to follow the Way.

Two poems composed when lying in sickness, saddened by the ephemerality of life, and desiring to follow the Way.

utusemi pa kazu naki mï nari yama kapa nö sayakëki mitutu miti wo tadune na

This world of ours Is but a passing thing. A moutain stream's Clean purity in my gaze, I would find the Way.

MYS XX: 4468