year after year
the Tatsuta River sends down
crimson autumn leaves—
is its harbor the place where
autumn comes to its rest

Meaning

Year after year, the Tatsuta River carries away crimson leaves—perhaps its harbor is where autumn finally comes to rest.

Commentary

Book Five Autumn Poems (Part Two)

This poem reflects on the end of autumn through thoughts of the Tatsuta River.

The autumn leaves, which symbolize the season, flow down the river each year and finally arrive at its harbor. The poet imagines that this place, where they come to rest, may be the very end of autumn itself. The poem presents a contemplative and somewhat abstract vision of autumn’s passing.

“Minato” refers to the river mouth, and “tomari” means a stopping place or final destination.

Author

Ki no Tsurayuki

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

scarlet leaves I will gather into my sleeves and carry them with me— for those who have already thought that autumn is done
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
in the evening moonlight on Mount Ogura a deer cries— within its calling voice has autumn come to its end and faded away there
had I known the way I would have gone to seek it— scattering maple leaves as offerings along the path autumn has already gone

year after year the Tatsuta River sends down crimson autumn leaves— is its harbor the place where autumn comes to its rest

year after year
the Tatsuta River sends down
crimson autumn leaves—
is its harbor the place where
autumn comes to its rest