within the sacred fence
of the awe-inspiring gods, even
the trailing kudzu
cannot withstand the autumn—
its leaves too have changed their hue.

Meaning

Even the kudzu growing upon the sacred fence of the gods cannot withstand autumn, and its leaves too have changed their color.

Commentary

Book Five Autumn Poems (Part Two)

Composed upon seeing the autumn leaves within the sacred fence while passing by a shrine.

Though the kudzu growing within the sacred precincts of the gods might seem as if it would remain evergreen by divine power, it cannot resist the passage of autumn and changes color like all else. Kudzu was a familiar plant in daily life, used for weaving baskets and for medicinal or culinary purposes, and the poem reflects such familiarity.

“Igaki” refers to the sacred fence surrounding a shrine, also called “mizugaki.”

Author

Ki no Tsurayuki

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

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.
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?
when rain falls upon Mount Kasatori, the leaves of autumn blaze bright— even the sleeves of those who pass are lit with their reflected glow.
though not yet fallen, already they are to be regretted— these autumn leaves, for I behold their hues as those that are but for this single time.

within the sacred fence of the awe-inspiring gods, even the trailing kudzu cannot withstand the autumn— its leaves too have changed their hue.

within the sacred fence
of the awe-inspiring gods, even
the trailing kudzu
cannot withstand the autumn—
its leaves too have changed their hue.