even in ages of gods
never once has it been heard—
the Tatsuta River
binding its flowing waters
in deep-dyed scarlet

Meaning

Even in the age of the gods, it has never been heard that the Tatsuta River could bind its waters in deep scarlet dye.

Commentary

Book Five Autumn Poems (Part Two)

A poem also included in the Hyakunin Isshu.

It expresses that even in the age of the gods—an age of fierce and wondrous happenings—such a thing as the Tatsuta River dyeing its waters deep crimson has never been heard of.

It is a heightened expression of the beauty of autumn leaves scattered upon the Tatsuta River (in present-day Ikaruga, Ikoma District, Nara), a place famed for its autumn colors.

“Chihayaburu” is a pillow word applied to “gods,” carrying a sense of wild or awe-inspiring power.

Author

Ariwara no Narihira

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

a man in loneliness who comes apart to stand beneath a certain tree— even the shade he trusted is gone, the leaves all fallen
the autumn leaves flow on and come to rest at the river’s mouth— there, do waves arise deeply dyed in crimson
even the path I came I no longer can discern— on Mount Kurabu, dark, as the leaves of many trees fall in a blinding scatter
when I pass in autumn through Mimuro, sacred mount, where the gods abide— it feels as though I have cut and wear a robe of brocade

even in ages of gods never once has it been heard— the Tatsuta River binding its flowing waters in deep-dyed scarlet

even in ages of gods
never once has it been heard—
the Tatsuta River
binding its flowing waters
in deep-dyed scarlet