classic waka stream

天の川雁ぞと渡る佐保山の
梢はむべも色づきにけり
Roma-ji

Ama no kawa kari zo to wataru Saoyama no kozue wa mube mo irozukinikeri

English Translation
Across heaven's river
it is the wild geese that cross,
and Mount Sao's
treetops, as well they might,
have taken on their colors
Meaning
It is the wild geese that cross the River of Heaven, and so, as well they might, the treetops of Mount Sao have taken on their autumn colors.
Commentary
Book Seven Autumn Poems III 366

Headnote: "Composed together with several others on a journey to Yamato."
The poet says that now that the season has come for the geese to cross the River of Heaven in the sky, the treetops of Mount Sao have, as well they might, taken on color. Knowing the depth of autumn from the passing of the geese, it sees the colored treetops of Mount Sao as only natural.
According to the headnote, it was composed with several companions on a journey to Yamato. Like 359 of this book, it pairs geese and autumn leaves on a journey to Yamato, and it rounds off the sequence on wild geese.
The poet is listed as "anonymous," and the composer's name has not come down to us.

The first line, "Ama no kawa," is the River of Heaven in the sky, showing the geese crossing the far heavens.
The second line, "kari zo to wataru," means "it is the wild geese that cross," marking that what crosses the sky is none other than the geese.
The third line, "Saoyama no," is Mount Sao north of Nara, famous for its autumn leaves.
In the fourth line, "mube" means "as well it might, naturally."
In the last line, "keri" expresses sudden realization: "they have taken on color." Like "momiji shinikeri," the last line of 359 of this book, it sings of hills coloring as the geese pass.
Author
Unknown Poet
Source
Gosen Wakashu
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