Thursday, May 28, 2015

Carpe Diem #744 a river breeze


Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

After his "Narrow Road" Basho stayed on traveling through his world, ancient Japan. In the summer of 1690 he visited Kyoto (nowadays Tokyo) and he wrote our haiku for today, a river breeze" on the river bank at Shijo at Kyoto. It's assumed that there is a picture of Basho wearing a light persimmon robe. That persimmon robe is the theme of this haiku.

In some of Basho's haiku he refers to himself as part of the scene or looks to the scene from a distance. Not very common for haiku poets. It isn't done to be part of your own haiku as haiku poet, but rules are there to be once read and than to forget them immediately.
In the following haiku he does both. He is part of the scene, but is also watching it from a distance. I think it's a great way to write haiku (unless it wasn't common).
This "not being part of your own haiku" is still in our times one of the rules. Rules? Basho once said: "Know the rules of writing haiku and forget them immediately". Well ... that's my way to write haiku. So I 'forgot' the rules of the classical haiku and embraced the rules of the Kanshicho style in which Basho wrote his haiku between 1683 and 1685. In that style the syllable count is different and less important. But as Basho said: "Forget the rules immediately". Well I can say "forgetting the rules feels good and makes my mind free". With that thought I have written and write all my haiku.

kawa kaze ya   usu gaki ki taru   yu suzumi

a river breeze
the one wearing a light persimmon robe
enjoying the coolness

© Basho (Tr. jane Reichhold)

With this haiku came, as was common use in Basho's time, a preface to introduce the haiku moment. Such a preface however can pollute the scene for the reader, who has maybe another scene in his/her mind while reading the haiku. As I look at myself than I am not a proponent of such introductory prefaces because I love to "make my own visual" of the haiku. Both, the poet and the reader of the poem are the heart and soul of the poem, together they make the haiku, but that's just my opinion.

Credits: Formal long coat (modern times)

"From the beginning to the middle of June, a special platform is set up right on the river bank at Shijo at Kyoto, and people enjoy drinking and eating all night. Women tie their sashes properly, and men wear their formal long coats. I see even the apprentices of a cooper and the blacksmith. They seem to have too much leisure time, singing and making noise. This is probably a scene that can only be seen in the capital".

It's a wonderful haiku and there is enough inspiration hidden in it to write an all new haiku as is our goal ...

This is my attempt:

hot summer day
lying naked in the sun
no need for coolness


© Chèvrefeuille


hot summer day
f
orest bathing in the nude
enjoying the coolness

© Chèvrefeuille
This episode is open for your submissions tonight at 7.00 PM (CET) and will remain open until May 31st at noon (CET). I will try to publish our new episode, moonrise, later on.



10 comments:

  1. Both of today's haiku, Basho's and yours, Kristjaan, are deeply moving, and mightily inspiring!

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    1. Agree...both inspiring.Mine is a complement to yours KP!

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  2. That was an interesting perspective from Basho, and I enjoyed your discussion, and hint. I see what you mean, about the haiku standing alone. Maybe some notes can also come afterwards - not sure. I think it takes nerves of steel to place a haiku alone! I see the weather is warm in Holland, or the Spring air is getting to you! Either way, I agree, to be in touch with the surroundings in a forest or nature, clothes must be thrown off sometimes, rgough in some countries I think it is actually illegal. Oh well! Bu the way, your post yesteray about the karumi-style was a classic. I really think generally that is the way to go, and think it has caused a mini-revolution.

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  3. I try to only get inspired.. and this took me to a slightly different scene. but I think it's still connected-

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  4. So is that you or Hamish doing the forest bathing? Delightful haiku. Well, done, our master.

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  5. hmm...I like the idea of being in tune with nature, but being au naturel- not my style. maybe in the forest could entice me...

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  6. What a great post, Chevrefeuille -- really enjoyed the haiku too :)
    Weighing the pros and cons of those introductory prefaces -- much to think about.

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  7. I rarely if ever add introductory prefaces or after thoughts either ... it just didn't occur to me to do so ... and it's fun to read people's comments about the haiku afterwards ... it seems they have a life and personality all their own that has little to do with the author :-) Lovely post and oolala - love your haiku! ;-)

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    1. BTW my entries today are not in the order of their writing ... I forgot to link my first haiku so it became the second on.

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