散らねどもかねてぞ惜しきもみぢ葉は
今は限りの色とみつれば
今は限りの色とみつれば
- Roma-ji
-
Chiranedomo kanete zo oshiki momijiba wa
ima wa kagiri no iro to mitsureba - English Translation
-
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
- Prev Poem
-
Ame fureba Kasatoriyama no momijiba wa
yukikau hito no sode sae zo teru - Next Poem
-
Ta ga tame no nishiki nareba ka akigiri no
Saho no yamabe o tachikakusuramu