[5] おく (Oku)

Poem Meaning and Background

おくやまに・もみじふみわけ ・なくしかの

oku yama ni・momiji fumi wake・naku shika no

こゑきくときぞ・あきはかなしき

koe kiku tokizo・aki wa kanashiki

~ 猿丸大夫　(Sarumaru Taifu)

Translation 

Deep in the mountains

Wading through crimson leaves

The wandering stag calls

When I hear the lonely cry,

How sad the autumn is!

Meaning

    This poem transports us deep into the mountains, where there are no sounds to be heard except the calls of deer and the sound of their footsteps on fallen leaves. In fall, male deer cry out plaintively in search of female deer. Japanese poets would often use deer as a symbol of fall, or as an expression of their feelings towards their wives or lovers. In this poem, we can feel the author's longing reflected in the deer's call, while also being immersed in the vibrant imagery of fall. 
    Anyone who is interested in what a Japanese deer's call sounds like can find a good example here: 
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUHaG0P5I4E

Author

    Sarumaru Taifu (dates unknown) is sometimes also referred to as "Dayū" and was a poet in the early Heian Period. Although he is one of the 36 immortal poets, his life and origins remain a mystery.