Koyoi wa to kokoroegao ni sumu tsuki no hikari motenasu kiku no shiratsuyu

今宵はと心得顔に澄む月の
光もてなす菊の白露

Roma-ji: Koyoi wa to kokoroegao ni sumu tsuki no hikari motenasu kiku no shiratsuyu
English Translation: Knowing well, it seems,
that tonight's the night, the moon
shining clear and bright,
is received with welcome by
white dewdrops on the chrysanthemums.
Meaning: The white dew on the chrysanthemums welcomes the light of the moon, which shines so clear as if it knew well that tonight is its night.
Commentary: Autumn Poems 379

Headnote: "The thirteenth night of the ninth month"
The topic is the moon on the thirteenth night of the ninth month, regarded as the finest moon after that of the fifteenth night of the eighth month. The moon shines clear with the look of one who knows this is its night, and the white dew on the chrysanthemums, reflecting its light, seems to welcome it. The chrysanthemum, the flower of the ninth month, is paired with the moon of the thirteenth night dwelling in its dew.
After the moon of the fifteenth night of the eighth month sung from 329, the moon of the thirteenth night of the ninth month is sung from here. Motenasu was also used in 361, where the clouds are an ornament that sets off the moon.

First line, “koyoi wa to”: that tonight is the night of the famous moon.
Second line, “kokoroegao ni”: with the look of one who understands, personifying the moon.
Third line, “sumu tsuki no”: of the moon shining clear.
Fourth line, “hikari motenasu”: motenasu is to treat with care or welcome, the white dew reflecting and receiving the moonlight.
Fifth line, “kiku no shiratsuyu”: ending on a noun, the white dew on the chrysanthemum, flower of the ninth month.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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