Some [more] Autumn poems [from the Kokinshu].

--------

Composed to accompany a painting of autumn leaves
flowing along the Tatsuta River on a folding screen,
when the Nijo Empress was known as the Mother of the
Crown Prince.

momidiba no
nagarete tomaru
minato ni Fa
kurenawi Fukaki
nami ya taturan

These autumn leaves
Flowing, will come to rest
At the harbourside: will
Deep scarlet
Waves break there, I wonder?

Sosei
KKS V: 293

--------

A poem from the Poetry Competition at Prince Koresada's house.

wa ga kituru
kata mo sirarezu
kuraFu yama
kigi no ko no ha no
tiru to magaFu ni

I have come
I know not where:
For in the dimness on Dark Mountain
Amongst the trees' leaves
Falling I have lost my way.

Toshiyuki
KKS V: 295

--------

Composed at Kitayama, when he had gone there saying he
was going to pick some autumn leaves.

miru Fito mo
nakute tirinuru
oku yama no
momidi Fa yoru no
nisiski narikeri

No one to see
Their fall -
In the mountains' heart
These scarlet leaves are night's
Brocade, indeed.

Tsurayuki
KKS V: 297

--------

Composed on seeing the autumn leaves, when he was living
at Ono.

aki no yama
momidi wo nusa to
tamukureba
sumu ware saFe zo
tabi kokoti suru

The mountains at Autumn time
Of their scarlet leaves, a garland make and
Offer to the Gods, thus
Even I, living here,
Would follow them on their journey.

Tsurayuki
KKS V: 299

--------

Composed on the flood of autumn leaves, when crossing
the Tatsuta River when passing  through the Kaminabi
Mountains.

kaminabi no
yama wo sugiyuku
aki nareba
tatuta gaFa ni zo
nusa Fa tamukuru

Through the Kaminabi
Mountains passes
Autumn, so
On the river Tatsuta
Is a garland proffered.

Kiyowara no Fukayabu
KKS V: 300

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Have a good weekend.

Tom McAuley


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