Even in the age
Of the mighty gods, unheard—
At Tatsuta River
They bind the water itself
With deep crimson threads of dye.

Meaning

Even in the age of the gods such a thing was never heard: at the Tatsuta River the water itself seems tied and dyed with deep crimson.

Commentary

106. Tatsuta River

A certain man went to a place where the imperial princes were strolling freely.
The poem was composed beside the Tatsuta River.

It describes the scene of autumn leaves falling into the river, their shades of deep red reflected in the flowing water like crimson dye.
This poem is also included in the Kokinshū, in the section “Autumn Poems, Part Two,” as a poem by Ariwara no Narihira. It was originally composed on the theme of a painting on a folding screen.

Source

Ise Monogatari

Other

Seeing you, I think You must be an ama of the sea— So at the sight of you I find myself hoping still You will bid me taste the weed.
White dewdrops— If they must vanish, let them Vanish as they will; Even if they should remain, None would string them as bright beads.
In lonely contemplation Tears surpass the flowing river— My sleeves are drenched, Yet there is no way to meet you, No means to see you at all.
Because it is shallow Only sleeves are wet, perhaps, In this river of tears; If I heard your very self Flowing there, I would trust it.

Even in the age Of the mighty gods, unheard— At Tatsuta River They bind the water itself With deep crimson threads of dye.

Even in the age
Of the mighty gods, unheard—
At Tatsuta River
They bind the water itself
With deep crimson threads of dye.