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.

Meaning

Though they have not yet fallen, the autumn leaves are already to be regretted, for I see their colors as those that exist only for this fleeting moment.

Commentary

Book Five Autumn Poems (Part Two)

Composed at a poetry contest in the imperial palace during the Kanpyō era.

The poem expresses the beauty of autumn leaves that will soon fall. Even before they scatter, they are already felt to be precious and transient, for their colors can be seen only for a limited time. It conveys the sense of impermanence found in seasonal beauty.

Author

Unknown Poet

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

within the sacred fence of the awe-inspiring gods, even the trailing kudzu cannot withstand the autumn— its leaves too have changed their hue.
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.
for whose sake is it this brocade, that autumn mist should rise and veil it— hiding from sight the mountain slopes of Saho all in its embrace?
on Mount Saho, though the hahaso leaves are pale in hue, yet all the same autumn has grown ever deeper— so it has come to be.

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.

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.