in autumn mountains
the reddened leaves as offerings
are laid before the gods—
even I who dwell here feel
as though I were on a journey

Meaning

When the autumn mountains offer their red leaves like sacred streamers, even I who dwell here feel as though I were on a journey.

Commentary

Book Five Autumn Poems (Part Two)

Composed when living in Ono, near Kyoto, upon seeing the autumn leaves.

“Nusa” are small strips of paper or cloth used as offerings when praying for safety on a journey. Here, the autumn leaves are likened to such offerings. Though the poet remains at home, the unfamiliar beauty of the scene makes him feel as though he were traveling.

Author

Ki no Tsurayuki

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

with no one to behold they scatter and fall away— deep in the mountains; these autumn leaves are but brocade worn in the night
since there is a god who makes offerings to Tatsuta the goddess fair— the autumn leaves must fall like sacred streamers scattered
as autumn passes on beyond the sacred Kannabi mountain of the gods— upon the Tatsuta River it makes offerings of leaves
upon the white waves autumn leaves drift and float— as I gaze at them they seem a fisher’s boat set adrift upon the sea

in autumn mountains the reddened leaves as offerings are laid before the gods— even I who dwell here feel as though I were on a journey

in autumn mountains
the reddened leaves as offerings
are laid before the gods—
even I who dwell here feel
as though I were on a journey