A pure bead, the autumn dew
秋露白玉如 shyūro shiroki koto tama no gotoshi

The refreshing autumn dew is truly beautiful. Sitting atop leaves of trees, droplets can trickle to the left or right with the shake of a leaf. This is something that is used to metaphorically represent the ideal mind state for people. Living free of worldly thoughts, one can re-discover their original mind state of pristine clarity and freedom. And just as atop a green leaf a dewdrop takes on a green shade and atop an autumn leaf red, this metaphor emphasises the value of a pure, selfless mind, totally open and receptive to the natural flow of one’s surrounds. 

Image: @minenomatsu