物ごとに秋ぞ悲しきもみぢつつ
うつろひ行くをかぎりと思へば
うつろひ行くをかぎりと思へば
- Roma-ji
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Mono goto ni aki zo kanashiki momijitsutsu
utsuroiyuku o kagiri to omoeba - English Translation
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In all things alike
autumn is full of sorrow—
as leaves turn to red,
and pass away in their change,
we feel it marks their end.
- Meaning
- In everything, autumn is a sorrowful season, for as the leaves turn red and change, we feel that it marks their end.
- Commentary
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Book Four Autumn Poems (Part One)
The poem expresses the sadness and loneliness of endings, as trees take on their vivid autumn colors and then gradually fade and fall.
It may suggest not only the passing of the season, but also a deeper sorrow for all things that come to an end.
“Momijitsutsu” derives from “momizu,” meaning that plants and trees take on autumn colors, with “tsutsu” indicating continuation.
“Kagiri” means a limit or an end.
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
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