the village lies in ruin,
its people grown old with years—
is it such a place?
both garden and its hedges
seem but an autumn field now.
- Meaning
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Is it because the village has fallen into ruin and its people have grown old? Even the garden and its hedges now appear like an autumn field.
- Commentary
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Book Four Autumn Poems (Part One)
When Emperor Kōkō, still a prince, set out to view the waterfall at Furu, he stayed at Henjō’s residence. The garden had been arranged in the style of an autumn field, and this poem was composed and presented in the course of conversation.
The "aged person" refers to the poet’s mother. Though the residence would have been properly maintained for a princely guest, the poet humbly describes it as resembling an autumn field. The phrase "sato wa arete hito wa furinishi" also alludes to the place-name Furu, reflecting the poet’s thoughtful courtesy toward the prince.
"Furinishi" means having grown old, and "magaki" refers to a hedge or fence.
- Author
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Sojo Henjo
- Source
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Kokin Wakashu
- Other
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