Those who come to my dwelling to view the blossoms in passing—
when the blossoms fall, will they then be missed?

Meaning

Those who come to my dwelling merely in passing to view the blossoms—when the blossoms have fallen, will they then be missed?

Commentary

Spring Songs, Book One

Composed and sent to those who came to visit in order to view the cherry blossoms.

To those who stopped by to see the blossoms, the poet hints—perhaps with irony—that after the blossoms have fallen they will no longer come, and thus will surely be missed.

Author

Oshikochi no Mitsune

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

If I were to pluck them, would it not be too painful, these cherry blossoms? Come, let me lodge here and watch them until they fall.
In cherry color I will deeply dye my robes and wear them; for when the blossoms fall, as a keepsake for what comes after.
Where no one comes to see them, mountain-village cherry blossoms— let them bloom only after the others have fallen.
Like the pale young purple of Kasuga Plain, a robe rubbed with dye—my hidden thoughts are tangled beyond all measure.

Those who come to my dwelling to view the blossoms in passing— when the blossoms fall, will they then be missed?

Those who come to my dwelling to view the blossoms in passing—
when the blossoms fall, will they then be missed?