Composed when he went to the northern hills, saying he was going to gather Autumn leaves.
見る人もなくてちりぬるおく山の紅葉はよるのにしきなりけり
| miru Fito mo nakute tirinuru okuyama no momidi Fa yoru no nisiki narikeri |
With no eyes to see At all, they’ve scattered In the mountains’ heart, These Autumn leaves are night’s Brocade, indeed! |
Tsurayuki
貫之
Composed at a time he was thinking of how piteous was the world of men, and saw a chrysanthemum flower.
秋の菊にほふかぎりはかざしてむ花よりさきとしらぬわが身を
| aki no kiku niFoFu kagiri Fa kazasitemu Fana yori saki to siranu wa ga mi wo |
Chrysanthemums in Autumn: While they shine I’ll wear them in my hair, For sooner than the flowers’ May come my ending. |
Tsurayuki
貫之
Composed on seeing Autumn leaves within the precincts of a shrine when passing nearby.
ちはやぶる神のいがきにはふくずも秋にはあへずうつろひにけり
| tiFayaburu kami no igaki ni Fau kuzu mo aki ni Fa aFezu uturoFinikeri |
Beneath the mighty Gods’ enclosing fence Creeps a vine: Unable to withstand the Autumn, It has turned sere. |
Tsurayuki
貫之
When he had gone down to Ishiyama, he saw the autumn leaves at Otowayama and composed:
秋風のふきにし日よりおとは山峰のこずゑも色づきにけり
| aki kaze no Fukinisi Fi yori wotoFayama mine no kozuwe mo irodukinikeri |
The Autumn wind Blew and since that day On Otowa Mountain The tips of the trees on the peak Have been touched with colour. |
Ki no Tsurayuki (Ca. 872-945)
紀貫之
Composed on a thoroughwort and sent to someone.
やどりせし人のかたみかふぢばかまわすられがたきかににほひつつ
| yadorisesi Fito no katami ka Fudibakama wasuraregataki ka ni niFoFitutu |
Did some lodge here And leave for a keepsake Wisteria trousers? Thoroughworts, Impossible to forget, Their fragrance lingers on. |
Tsurayuki
貫之
Composed and presented at the maidenflower [poetry] competition at the Suzaku Palace.
たが秋にあらぬものゆゑをみなへしなぞ色にいでてまだきうつろふ
| ta ga aki ni aranu mono yuFe wominaFesi nazo iro ni idete madaki uturoFu |
Alone for you Autumn Has not come, Maidenflowers, So why do you colour So swiftly, then fade? |
Tsurayuki
貫之
Composed on the first day of autumn, when he went on a pleasure trip to the Kamo River with some courtiers.
河風のすずしくもあるかうちよする浪とともにや秋は立つらむ
| kaFakaze no suzusikumo aru utiyosuru nami totomoni ya aki Fa taturan |
The river wind Bears a chill; With the rushing Waves, does Autumn also arise? |
Ki no Tsurayuki
紀貫之