月草に衣はすらむ朝露に
濡れての後はうつろひぬとも
濡れての後はうつろひぬとも
- Roma-ji
-
Tsukikusa ni koromo wa suramu asatsuyu ni
nurete no nochi wa utsuroinu tomo - English Translation
-
with moonflower’s hue
I would dye these sleeves I wear—
though with morning dew
once they are soaked through and through
their color may fade away.
- Meaning
- I would dye my garments with the color of the moonflower, even though, once wet with the morning dew, their color will surely fade.
- Commentary
-
Book Four Autumn Poems (Part One)
Garments dyed with the moonflower (tsukikusa) easily lose their color when wet. The poem suggests a willingness to accept such fleetingness—perhaps implying a desire to share even a single night with someone whose feelings may quickly change.
"Tsukikusa" refers to the dayflower, known for its easily fading dye.
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
- Prev Poem
-
Momokusa no hana no himotoku aki no no ni
omoi tawaremu hito na togame so - Next Poem
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Sato wa arete hito wa furinishi yado nare ya
niwa mo magaki mo aki no nora naru