関越ゆる人に問はばや陸奥の
安達の真弓紅葉しにきや
安達の真弓紅葉しにきや
- Roma-ji
-
Seki koyuru hito ni towabaya Michinoku no Adachi no mayumi momijishiniki ya
- English Translation
-
Of travelers who cross
the barrier, I would ask:
in far Michinoku
the spindle trees of Adachi,
have their leaves turned crimson yet?
- Meaning
- I would like to ask the travelers crossing the barrier: have the spindle trees of Adachi in Michinoku turned crimson yet?
- Commentary
-
Book Three Autumn Poems 130
Headnote: "Composed on the topic "seeing a traveler" at Shirakawa with the Uji former Chancellor"
This is a poem by the Horikawa Minister of the Right, Fujiwara no Yorimune. It was composed on the topic "seeing a traveler" at the Shirakawa residence of the Uji former Chancellor, Fujiwara no Yorimichi.
Seeing a traveler at Shirakawa in the capital, he wishes to ask anyone who has crossed the Shirakawa Barrier from Michinoku whether the spindle trees of Adachi have turned red. Overlaying Shirakawa in the capital with the Shirakawa Barrier, he sends his thoughts to the distant northern foliage. With this poem the sequence on autumn leaves begins.
The first line, "seki koyuru," means "crossing the barrier," suggesting the Shirakawa Barrier, gateway to Michinoku. It is the first poem of the autumn leaves sequence.
The second line, "hito ni towabaya," expresses the wish "I would ask someone," and the poem pauses here.
The third line, "Michinoku no," is the old name of the northeastern region.
The fourth line, "Adachi no mayumi," is the spindle tree of Adachi in Michinoku, a famous poetic place.
The last line, "momijishiniki ya," asks "had it turned red?" with ni for completion, ki for the past and ya for the question.
- Author
- Fujiwara no Yorimune
- Source
- Shika Wakashu
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Kusagare no fuyu made miyo to tsuyujimo no okite nokoseru shiragiku no hana
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Ikura to mo mienu momiji no nishiki kana tare Futamura no yama to iikemu