 Saito Mokichi (Man'yō-shū Masterpiece)
God's Cape (Miwa-saki) lies on the coast of Higashimuro District in Kii
Province, while Sano is located southwest of it; both are now incorporated
into Shingū City.
“Watari” refers to a ferry crossing. The heart of this poem likely lies in the second line, where the lament “Is this rain falling?” carries a tone of supplication.
Because the heart is expressed straightforwardly and is accepted without
strain, it has been valued since ancient times as a masterpiece of the
Manyo-shu.
Indeed, there exists a song by Fujiwara no Teika, a master of honka-dori (taking the main verse), that echoes this sentiment:
“Halting my horse, I brush my sleeves— Not even a shadow remains At Sano's crossing, snowy dusk.”
This shows how ordinary the emotion itself is, yet Okimaro, having traveled
the route himself, was able to compose such a song.
It is not comparable in nature to Teika's imaginative imitation songs.
 Murase Norio (Manyō no Uta, Volume 9)
The author, Naga no Imiki Okimaro, along with Kakinomoto no Hitomaro and Takaichi no Kuroto, is a representative court poet of the second period of the Manyō-shū.
The Naga clan is thought to be of immigrant origin, as indicated by their surname Imiki.
It is also said that the Naga clan likely derived its name from its ancestral seat in Naga District, Kii Province.
Indeed, Miwasaki and Sano in Shingu City were remote areas at the time, beyond the reach of imperial visits. One might wonder why a court poet would travel to such a place.
However, if the Naga clan truly had Naga District as their ancestral home,
it is entirely plausible that Imiki Okimaro would have wished to leave
his mark on this land, separate from any imperial visit.
Above all, the landscape of Miwasaki and Sano perfectly suits the content of the poem. This coastline, forming a crescent arc facing directly out to the Kumano Sea, offers no barrier against the waves or wind.
Rushing waves crash against the rugged shore, raising spray and blocking the way.
Add to that the heavy, violent rains of Kumano, and one can only tremble before the threat of nature.
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