had I known the way
I would have gone to seek it—
scattering maple leaves
as offerings along the path
autumn has already gone

Meaning

Had I known the way, I would have gone to seek it—yet autumn has already departed, scattering maple leaves as offerings.

Commentary

Book Five Autumn Poems (Part Two)

This poem was also composed on the last day of the ninth month.

As the final poem of the autumn section, it portrays the end of autumn by likening fallen leaves to offerings (nusa) scattered by a traveler. Autumn has already passed, leaving no way to follow or hold it back. The poem expresses a quiet sense of longing for a season that cannot be retained.

“Nusa to tamukete” refers to scattering small pieces of paper or cloth as offerings, praying for safe passage along a journey.

Author

Oshikochi no Mitsune

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

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
the Tatsuta River weaves and spreads brocade— in the godless month with showers of passing rain as warp and weft entwined
in a mountain village winter deepens the loneliness— for when I think on it no people come, and even the grasses wither away

had I known the way I would have gone to seek it— scattering maple leaves as offerings along the path autumn has already gone

had I known the way
I would have gone to seek it—
scattering maple leaves
as offerings along the path
autumn has already gone