A Hundred Verses from Old Japan · 6 of 101

5. Saru Maru, A Shinto Official: Saru Maru Taiu

5

Saru Maru, a Shinto Official

Saru Maru Taiu

Oku yama ni Momiji fumi wake Naku shika no Koe kiku toki zo Aki wa kanashiki.

HEAR the stag’s pathetic call Far up the mountain side, While tramping o’er the maple leaves Wind-scattered far and wide This sad, sad autumn tide.

Very little is known of this writer, but he probably lived not later than A.D. 800. Stags and the crimson leaves of the maple are frequently used symbolically of autumn.