where white dew falls
and even showers pass through—
upon that mountain,
not a single lower leaf remains
but all are turned to autumn hues.

Meaning

On the mountain where not only white dew but even autumn showers pass through, even the lower leaves have all changed their colors without exception.

Commentary

Book Five Autumn Poems (Part Two)

Composed near Mount Moru.

In those times, it was believed that dew and rain caused leaves to change color. Playing on the name “Moru” (to leak or pass through), the poem suggests that dew and rain seep down from the upper leaves to the lower ones, coloring them all. Thus, even the leaves below have turned without exception.

“Itaku” means “greatly” or “intensely.”

Author

Ki no Tsurayuki

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

though autumn night dew rests there as but dew alone— could it instead be the tears of passing wild geese that stain the fields with their hue?
because autumn dew settles in many differing ways, upon the hills the leaves upon the trees are turned into a thousand varied hues.
though rain may fall and even dew should not pass through— on Mount Kasatori, how has it come to be, I wonder, that the leaves are dyed with autumn?
within the sacred fence of the awe-inspiring gods, even the trailing kudzu cannot withstand the autumn— its leaves too have changed their hue.

where white dew falls and even showers pass through— upon that mountain, not a single lower leaf remains but all are turned to autumn hues.

where white dew falls
and even showers pass through—
upon that mountain,
not a single lower leaf remains
but all are turned to autumn hues.