‘Autumn Colours’
Author: Toshimichi Ōkubo
Dating back to the Meiji era (1868-1912). Toshimichi Ōkubo (1830-1878), who went by the pen-nameKoto, was one of the “Three Great Nobles of the Restoration” along with Saigo Takamori and Kido
Takayoshi. In October 1874, Ōkubo was dispatched to Beijing as Ambassador Plenipotentiary to deal
with the Taiwan problem, sparked by the invasion of Taiwan. Negotiations were subsequently
concluded with the Qing government in Beijing. He composed this poem on arrival in Xiamen from
Shanghai on November 14, en route for Taiwan following a meeting with Li Hongzhang in Tianjin.
【Translation】
Autumn scenery leaves one longing for the heavens and Xiamen castle, awash with greenery in the
cove. A place where trees thrive and an air of yesteryear prevails, just like Shí Xiù (a character from
the Ming dynasty novel “Water Margin”). The masterpieces brought into being by the Creator of the
world can be painted, but never created.