from the deep mountains
the water that comes falling down—
seeing its color
I have come to know at last
that autumn has reached its end

Meaning

Seeing the color of the water that falls from the deep mountains, I have come to realize that autumn has reached its end.

Commentary

Book Five Autumn Poems (Part Two)

When, in the reign of Emperor Kōkō, an order was given to present ancient poems, the poet wrote the poem beginning “Tatsuta River, with crimson leaves flowing,” and composed this in the same spirit.

Without directly naming the autumn leaves, the poet expresses them through the color of the water at the end of autumn, from which one understands that the leaves have fallen and are flowing downstream. In this way, the poem conveys a quiet sorrow at the passing of autumn.

Author

Fujiwara no Okikaze

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

in fields already reaped the shoots that rise anew yet put forth no ears— is it that even the world has wearied now beyond all
scarlet leaves I will gather into my sleeves and carry them with me— for those who have already thought that autumn is done
year after year the Tatsuta River sends down crimson autumn leaves— is its harbor the place where autumn comes to its rest
in the evening moonlight on Mount Ogura a deer cries— within its calling voice has autumn come to its end and faded away there

from the deep mountains the water that comes falling down— seeing its color I have come to know at last that autumn has reached its end

from the deep mountains
the water that comes falling down—
seeing its color
I have come to know at last
that autumn has reached its end