「雷の丘」にて　at Ikazuchi-no-Oka

大君は　神にしませば　天雲の　雷の上に　廬りせるかも

Ookimiwa kaminishimaseba amakumono ikazuchinoueni ihoriserukamo

With your godly might, you could build a fortress atop the thunder of the clouds

持統天皇が国見をするためか、雷の丘に登られて、しばし留まられているお姿を天上の神を仰ぎ見るように人麻呂が讃えて歌っています。「国見」というのは天皇が山や丘などの高地に登って、国土を眺め渡し、農作物の豊穣や人民の繁栄を祈願する儀礼で、香具山に登って国見をする歌が有名です。雷の丘は万葉展望台になっている甘樫丘の北麓で明日香川を越えた明日香村雷という地区にある小さな山ともいえない丘が該当する場所です。

Hitomaro praises the empress, likening Empress Jito to that of a god as she stands there on the hill gazing out over her kingdom. The Japanese term “kunimi” refers to a ritual of an emperor climbing to high ground such as a mountain or hill to gaze out over their land and pray for a bountiful harvest and the prosperity of their people. There’s another famous “kunimi” song that exists about climbing up Mt. Amenokaguyama as well. 

Ikazuchi-no-Oka is a small hill located at the north foot of Amakashi-no-Oka, which is home to the Manyo Observatory, in the Ikazuchi area of Asuka Village, across the Asuka River.