Autumn is my favourite season, it bursts with life even as it signals the end of one. It’s a time when the world around us turns vibrant — leaves blazing with fiery reds, golden yellows, and deep oranges. There’s a crispness in the air that sharpens the senses, making everything feel more alive. It’s not the kind of beauty that’s loud or demanding, though. Autumn is subtle and an indication that change is on its way – walking under a canopy of trees, feeling the cool breeze against your face, or catching a glimpse of the sky through falling leaves…it’s a beautiful time of the year.
There’s something captivating about the way autumn forces you to stop and notice. It’s not just about the colours or the cool, refreshing air; it’s the atmosphere it creates. The world feels calmer, like it’s holding its breath, waiting for the first snow. It’s a time to reflect, not in a heavy or somber way, but in a way that feels refreshing. You start to think about what’s important, what you want to let go of, and what you want to keep. It’s almost like the world is urging you to shed what you no longer need, just like the trees.
Unsurprisingly – my love for autumn started when I was teaching in Japan, I had never experienced the scent of Kinmokusei (osmanthus), the golden leaves of the Ginkgo tree nor the spectacle that is Momijigari (紅葉狩り) – maple leaf hunting – seeing is believing. Your eyes want to capture and hold on to this beauty …crisp mornings, blue skies, the warmth of the sun and the vivid hues of autumn. 🍁
Japanese haiku, with their focus on capturing the essence of a moment, seem made for autumn. Two haiku come to mind, both managing to distill the magic of this season in just a few words.
1. Matsuo Bashō (松尾芭蕉)
初しぐれ
猿も小蓑を
ほしげなり
(Hatsu shigure
Saru mo komino o
Hoshige nari)
“The first cold shower;
Even the monkey
Seems to want a little coat of straw.”
Bashō captures that moment when autumn’s chill first creeps in, and everything, even the animals, seems to be caught off guard. This haiku includes the playfulness of nature but also the instinctive search for warmth and comfort as the days get colder. It’s a reminder that we’re all part of this seasonal rhythm.
2. Yosa Buson (与謝蕪村)
秋の暮れ
手を引きながら
子が見たり
(Aki no kure
Te o hikinagara
Ko ga mitari)
“Autumn evening;
As I pull my child’s hand,
They gaze in wonder.”
Buson’s haiku is simple yet powerful. The scene is ordinary—walking with a child in the evening—but the wonder in the child’s gaze brings out that feeling of awe we often forget as adults. It reminds me of how autumn can make everything feel new, how the world can still surprise you, even in its fading.
Autumn isn’t just about things ending; it’s about seeing the beauty in transition, in the moments between what was and what will be. That’s the magic—the tension between letting go and holding on, between change and stillness. Just as in these haiku, it’s the brief moments of noticing that make it special.
