when snow falls at last
and the year comes to its close—
only then we see
the pine that never changes hue
that never turns like autumn leaves

Meaning

When snow falls and the year comes to its end, it is then that one notices the pine that never changes its color.

Commentary

Book Six Winter Poems

This poem was composed for a poetry contest at the Empress’s palace during the Kanpyō era.

Because pine leaves remain evergreen and show no change throughout the year, unlike other plants that bloom in spring or turn color in autumn, they tend to go unnoticed. Yet in the cold of winter, when other plants have lost their leaves and all is withered, one comes to recognize the enduring excellence of the evergreen pine.

It is likely based on the Analects passage: “Only when the year grows cold do we know that pine and cypress are the last to wither.”

Author

Unknown Poet

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

though the year I do not wait has now come round at last again like winter withered grass— the one who has gone away sends not even a word of news
as the passing year draws each time to its close again the snow falls ever more— and so too does my own self grow older with each passing year
saying “yesterday” and living through this day as well— like Asuka River ever flowing swift and on so pass the days and passing months
how I regret it the year that now is passing on— in this polished mirror even the reflected self seems to fade into the dusk

when snow falls at last and the year comes to its close— only then we see the pine that never changes hue that never turns like autumn leaves

when snow falls at last
and the year comes to its close—
only then we see
the pine that never changes hue
that never turns like autumn leaves