色かはる秋の菊をばひととせに
ふたたび匂ふ花とこそ見れ
ふたたび匂ふ花とこそ見れ
- Roma-ji
-
Iro kawaru aki no kiku o ba hitotose ni
futatabi niou hana to koso mire - English Translation
-
changing now its hue,
this chrysanthemum of autumn—
within one short year,
twice it blooms and gives its scent,
so I see it as such
- Meaning
- The autumn chrysanthemum, changing its color as the cold deepens—I see it as a flower that blooms and gives its fragrance twice within a single year.
- Commentary
-
Book Five Autumn Poems (Part Two)
A poem composed for a poetry contest at the residence of Prince Koretada.
Chrysanthemums are yellow when they first bloom, but when touched by frost, they change to a purplish hue. This transformation, called utsuroigiku, was admired as something beautiful. In this poem, the change of color is likened to the flower blooming twice within a single year.
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
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Kokoroate ni oraba ya oramu hatsushimo no
okimadowaseru shiragiku no hana - Next Poem
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Aki o okite toki koso arikere kiku no hana
utsurou kara ni iro no masareba