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

Other

while autumn chrysanthemums shine in all their fragrance, I shall wear them— for I know not my own life, if it end before these flowers
if I must pluck them, then at random I shall pluck— first frost has fallen, confusing all before my eyes, white chrysanthemums alike
beyond the time of autumn there is yet another prime— chrysanthemum blooms; as their colors fade away, all the more their beauty grows
from the place it bloomed now moved to another dwelling— chrysanthemum flowers, even in their very hue have come to change as well

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

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